Description
Scuba Diving is a richly layered mixed-media work that reflects a lifelong fascination with the ocean, first sparked during my college years while earning a degree in physical education. A scuba diving course opened the door to a deeper connection with underwater environments, leading to experiences in California, the Bahamas, Fiji, Tahiti, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. These encounters with coral reefs—vivid, intricate, and alive—became the driving inspiration behind this piece.
The composition begins with a photographic image, which is then transformed through layers of paint, sculptural clay, beads, and an extensive collection of found objects. I have spent years gathering miniature items—from gumball machines, craft stores, and garage sales—and embedding them into my work. In this piece, toy fish, a small army figure, and even a Tabasco sauce bottle rest within the reef, creating moments of surprise and narrative. These objects often serve as subtle time markers; for instance, the inclusion of the army figure reflects the era of the Iraq War, offering a quiet historical reference without the need for a written date.
A signature element of my work appears in the divers themselves, whose bubbles are formed from pearls. This ties directly to my long-standing creative identity, Pearls and Mustard Seeds, which draws on spiritual symbolism from biblical teachings—pearls representing wisdom and value, and mustard seeds symbolizing faith and growth. These elements are often embedded throughout my artwork as a unifying thread between the physical and the spiritual.
The coral reef environment is rendered with both realism and imagination, blending natural forms with playful, almost hidden discoveries—viewers may even spot familiar cultural references tucked within the scene. The result is a dynamic visual experience that invites close inspection and rewards curiosity.
Scuba Diving stands as one of my most personal and cherished works, capturing not only the beauty of the underwater world but also the layered nature of memory, spirituality, and time.
