Violette Tide Studios

In what I could only describe as a serendipitous chain of events, my art has supported conservation efforts for marine life; in particular, the epidemic of sea turtle standings.

The "Marbled Loggerhead" sea turtle was painted in June 2015 from a National Geographic photograph that caught my eye. Because of their endangerment and majesty, I began donating 20% of the print proceeds to the National Marine Life Center (NMLC), a 501(c)(3) marine education center and animal hospital ten miles down the street in Bourne, Massachusetts.

Now fast forward to January 11, 2016 - I'm nine months pregnant and walking (waddling) on our cold beach with Veda, my Newfoundland dog. The winds were whipping and Veda fell behind for a moment. As I turned to call her, I noticed she was laying next to something very large at the high tide mark. As I moved closer, I found Veda patiently "on guard" next to a 40 lb. Loggerhead sea turtle that had cold stunned itself on the beach. The loggerhead was an incredible sight! After a few calls to local neighbors that work with the NMLC, we were able to transport the turtle to the New England Aquarium, where they named the turtle, "Newfie," and rehabbed her for five months. "Newfie" was released in Maryland in June 2016.

Click on the last picture of Veda to read the full rescue story.

Update: Since January 2017, I have donated $1,320 to the National Marine Life Center.

Thank you to everyone who has supported my art and this wonderful organization.

Click on the Turtle watercolor print below to purchase.