Every morning, I swim in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s my therapy, my mental health medicine, and my absolute joy. Recently, I felt a strong urge to paint a seal, and, as with any burst of inspiration, I headed straight to my easel and began.
With a background in graphic design, I’ve always loved working with gouache—it has a strong, opaque finish that I adore. But for this piece, I knew it wasn’t the right medium. Reluctantly, I reached for my watercolours. Watercolour has always been hit or miss for me. Its tricky nature and the need for careful planning often result in paintings much darker than I intended.
Still, I like a challenge. I sketched my seal and got to work. To my surprise, she seemed to emerge effortlessly before my eyes. I was in a creative flow state, loving every moment. It felt like a Big Magic moment—one of those times when I’m simply a conduit for creativity.
“The only way an idea can be made to manifest in our world is through collaboration with a human partner. It is only through a human’s efforts that an idea can be escorted out of the ether and into the realm of the actual.”—Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic
A few days after finishing the painting, I encountered a heartbreaking sight—a seal killed by a propeller. It was such a senseless tragedy, and it hit me deeply.
Then, just days later, I was swimming off Battery Rocks in Penzance at 7:15 am. The sun was rising, and suddenly, about 10 meters away, a harbour seal popped her head above the water. She swam with us for five magical minutes, gently observing us. It was both incredible and poignant.
The third encounter came last weekend at Sennen Beach. A young seal pup, likely around 6-8 weeks old, had wandered far up the shore—probably too far. We called BDMLR and stayed with her until they arrived. Leaving her in their capable hands, I felt reassured, knowing she’d receive the care she needed.
As I continue to ground myself here in beautiful West Cornwall, I’ve learned to listen closely to my intuition and to nature. Together, they inspire me with Wild Tides and Strong Roots.
Framed and unframed prints of this painting are available
Comments