Each limited-edition print is produced on premium 310gsm Canson Photo Rag paper, hand-numbered and embossed with my signature. Prints are carefully rolled and shipped in a protective tube to ensure they arrive safely and ready to frame.
I painted Journey Under the Sea as a birthday gift for my sister, Melissa.
To be completely honest, I was also a little broke at the time. I'd recently bought a "new-ish" car, so my birthday budget was running on creativity rather than cash.
Melissa has always shared a deep connection with the ocean. As my big sister, she has taught me that the sea is one of Mother Nature's greatest medicines, and that the natural world has an incredible way of restoring balance, offering perspective, and reminding us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
As I painted, I was convinced this artwork wasn't working.
In fact, I thought it was downright ugly.
When I finally wrapped it and handed it to Melissa, I cautioned her that if she hated it, there would be absolutely no hard feelings—I would happily paint her something else more ‘tasteful’.
She loved it!
Then her guests loved it.
Then children loved it.
Then adults loved it.
Eventually, I realised I loved the jellyfish too!
It taught me an unexpected lesson: sometimes our harshest critic is ourselves.
Looking back now, I realise this artwork became symbolic of something much bigger.
For much of my life, I never believed I was particularly attractive. Yet, almost every week, a complete stranger tells me I have a beautiful smile. Somewhere along the way, I realised that beauty isn't something we get to decide on behalf of everyone else.
This jellyfish reminded me that perfection is an impossible standard, and perhaps one we're not meant to chase. The things we see as flaws are often the very things that others fall in love with.
Journey Under the Sea celebrates the wonder of our oceans, the healing they offer, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge when we let go of perfection and simply allow ourselves to be.
Turns out...
Everyone loves a beautifully-imperfect jellyfish.
🤍
Each limited-edition print is produced on premium 310gsm Canson Photo Rag paper, hand-numbered and embossed with my signature. Prints are carefully rolled and shipped in a protective tube to ensure they arrive safely and ready to frame.
I painted Journey Under the Sea as a birthday gift for my sister, Melissa.
To be completely honest, I was also a little broke at the time. I'd recently bought a "new-ish" car, so my birthday budget was running on creativity rather than cash.
Melissa has always shared a deep connection with the ocean. As my big sister, she has taught me that the sea is one of Mother Nature's greatest medicines, and that the natural world has an incredible way of restoring balance, offering perspective, and reminding us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves.
As I painted, I was convinced this artwork wasn't working.
In fact, I thought it was downright ugly.
When I finally wrapped it and handed it to Melissa, I cautioned her that if she hated it, there would be absolutely no hard feelings—I would happily paint her something else more ‘tasteful’.
She loved it!
Then her guests loved it.
Then children loved it.
Then adults loved it.
Eventually, I realised I loved the jellyfish too!
It taught me an unexpected lesson: sometimes our harshest critic is ourselves.
Looking back now, I realise this artwork became symbolic of something much bigger.
For much of my life, I never believed I was particularly attractive. Yet, almost every week, a complete stranger tells me I have a beautiful smile. Somewhere along the way, I realised that beauty isn't something we get to decide on behalf of everyone else.
This jellyfish reminded me that perfection is an impossible standard, and perhaps one we're not meant to chase. The things we see as flaws are often the very things that others fall in love with.
Journey Under the Sea celebrates the wonder of our oceans, the healing they offer, and the unexpected beauty that can emerge when we let go of perfection and simply allow ourselves to be.
Turns out...
Everyone loves a beautifully-imperfect jellyfish.
🤍
