Green turtle

We’d gone swimming in the hope of seeing a turtle in the clear waters off Barbados. I wasn’t confident that I would be able to see the turtle, even if we were lucky enough to encounter one. Being very short sighted and not having a prescription mask and snorkel, I thought I might just see a blob. All those fears were unfounded as it came so close to me that even I could see it clearly. What a thrill!

Turtles, with their laconic face and graceful swim are iconic. Yet they were hunted extensively for turtle soup, its eggs as a delicacy and decorative shells. This ancient creature saw its numbers plummet and has been listed as endangered since the 1980s.

Now, thanks to decades of global conservation efforts – from protecting eggs and releasing hatchlings on beaches, to reducing accidental capture in fishing nets – new data shows green turtle populations are rebounding. And I was lucky enough to meet one face to face, or is that face to beak?

I have tried to capture the moment of wonder in this watercolour on canvas painting of a green turtle. The canvas was especially prepared with a texture of tissue paper and watercolour ground and layers of vibrant turquoise and blue. It has been carefully sealed with several layers of varnish and cold wax medium, which means it does not need to be hung behind glass. It is strung and ready to bring the sound of the ocean and the good news of the turtle into your home.

I can post to pretty much anywhere, but outside of the UK please contact me for a quote and be aware that there may be local import duties to be payable.

You might also like to take a look at this painting of a turtle, which I painted in a very different style after seeing them in Australia: https://lizchaderton.co.uk/product/turtle/