Sulawesi Sirens: Turkey Lion Fish Painting

Splashing backwards over the side of a dive boat always holds a bit of a thrill. Not only because you could accidentally lose your face mask or find that you have forgotten to turn on your air at the last minute, or that you have everything on except your weight belt, but because it heralds limitless possibility. Every time you go into the water you always find something fascinating and sometimes difficult to explain in words, to those who have not taken the plunge. I have been diving, with my husband for many years…from early days in the chilly waters of Puget Sound, to the crazy tides and swift currents off the coast of Mozambique, to the Red Sea, the WWII wrecks of Truk Lagoon, Australia’s Coral Sea, and always back to Indonesia. All of the waters surrounding the Indonesian Islands are rich in aquatic life, but our favorite by far, is the area around Sulawesi. These paintings celebrate a fraction of the wondrous creatures we see there, underwater, during the day or on night dives. With my work I hope to offer both a stunning and a compelling reason for ocean awareness and conservation. Judith Gebhard Smith One type of lionfish found in the South Pacific. Actual image is 13 by 16 inches. Matted with French Gray and framed under AR glass in a Nielsen "dusk" frame. Ready for hanging.