detail view of that texture in what I perceive as reefs from above.... -
I’ve had the reefs on my mind. The corals are going through a major bleaching event caused by warm water. It’s really sad, and feels totally out of my control. Right now the only thing I can do is spring into action. I’m going to do a beach clean up tomorrow and will be at Kahaluu on Wednesday for the reef teach. What ultimately kills coral is macroalgae, which thrive and multiply with the higher temperatures, snuffing out corals and other ocean life.
PS. If you live in Hawaii here’s a list of things you can do to help keep stress off the coral: • Avoid touching the reef while diving, snorkeling or swimming;
• Do not stand or rest on corals;
• Use sunscreens with no oxybenzone or octinoxate;
• Boaters should use mooring buoys, or anchor only in sand areas and keep anchor chains off the reef;
• Fishers should reduce or stop their take of herbivores, such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, and sea urchins. Herbivores clear reefs of algae, which over-grow and kill corals during bleaching events;
• Take extra precaution to prevent contaminants from getting to the ocean like dirt from neighboring earth work, chemical pollution from fertilizers, and soaps and
detergents getting to storm drains. #hawaii#coral#sciart#coralreefs#coralbleaching#coralbleachingawareness#hawaiireeffish#surfart#ocean#aquaticlife -
“Oceanic Rhythm”, 2019 #baileyferguson
One positive thing about coming home early from the trip was finishing this commission painting.... A piece in the works for several months. It has soooo many hidden gems inside, including a luscious starry night, an ode to surf culture, and a water layering technique that reminds me near shore reefs and also satellite images of rivers flowing to the ocean. I'm happy to get this one to the framers this week for a custom Koa wood frame. And off to it’s forever home. What a gift to be able to create these custom works that challenge me as an artist. Maybe one day I’ll show the variations this piece went through to get here... 🙈
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Oceanic Rhythm, 2019
40x40x1.5", acrylic and oil pastel on stretched canvas
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#Nature#wave#seascape#ocean#waveart#coastaldecor#surfart#surf#landscapepainting#fineart#surfartist#contemporaryart#surfinspired#abstractart#actionpainting#artwork_daily#explorecreate#womenartist#femaleartist#bigislandartist#baileyferguson
“Why is it that scuba divers and surfers are some of the strongest advocates of ocean conservation? Because they've spent time in and around the ocean, and they've personally seen the beauty, the fragility, and even the degradation of our planet's blue heart.” - Sylvia Earle
👩🏼🎨#artistatsea with @schmidtocean 🚢
Arrived safely to the R/V Falkor, at the Honolulu Harbor. It was a stimulating first day, #bts in my stories. .
I have been on the waitlist for the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Artist-At-Sea Residency since early 2019. This week I received news that I am invited on a mission leaving Hawai’i at the end of August. 🤯
This will be a 3-week voyage to the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument which is the largest marine conservation area in the world. It consists of seamounts, atolls, islands and a lot of marine life.
🚢
As the artist-at-sea participant I will be onboard the ship R/V Falkor (named after the Luck Dragon in the Never-ending story) among researchers and crew, actively involved in the science and making art along the way. The trip of a lifetime, I know.
👩🏼🎨 “Artists and scientists both have the ability to offer a deeper understanding of our Ocean. They are important storytellers that help people to see in new ways. Applying these talents to ocean science and conservation can create a new space for dialogue and understanding.”
– Schmidt Ocean Institute, Artist-At-Sea
@schmidtocean
