"Zoanthid" Painting

I'm inspired by the largest coral restoration effort in the planet (Coral Restoration Foundation in Key Largo, Florida). The series "Corales" is my expression of this entire ecosystem being "disintegrated." Its important to communicate that 50% of all corals have died in the past 30 years. It's our responsibility to use technology and innovation to restore this alien like world. I use coral skeleton dust, sand and acrylic mediums in a mix I prepare in order to create a 3D texture and then I use a series of tools to "build" my coral polyps. During my creative process I'm constantly thinking that if we as human beings have the ability to "resuscitate" others by performing CPR, we have the ability to "plant corals." The polyps are basically algae factories living inside these magnificent animals. They make their own food and also share it with their "guests" that live beside them (Mostly fish and other sea creatures).