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‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
  • ‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
‘Octopus From the Stars’ original
$595.00

‘Octopus From the Stars’ original

“Salt Spring Island vistas from country roads, this
scene is a favourite across farm fields to distant Sunset Drive and the
glistening waters on Salt Spring Island’s west side.” J

My Orcas and SeaLife Series

My Orcas and SeaLife series is painted from beloved experiences boating on—and living beside—our island waters. Most encounters arrive unexpectedly: surprising in the moment, timeless in quality, and thrilling in memory.

One whale encounter a few years ago happened while we were aboard our trawler DreamTime. We slowed to a sloppy stop as two kayakers approached, guiding a swimmer between them. They were singing a song that felt ancient. Just behind them, a young orca followed quietly along their watery course.

As they drew nearer I called out, exclaiming that a whale was following them. They paused their song and replied that they knew—they were singing the whale song. Later I learned that the young Indigenous woman was swimming around our island to celebrate newly erected totem poles on their land on the southwest side of Salt Spring Island. 

Another unforgettable moment occurred while I was with a wildlife friend in her small open skiff. We were speeding through Samson Narrows in dazzling summer light when I spotted orcas fast approaching. They surfaced close—breaching and playful in the rushing current and sparkling waters. We quickly stopped the motor, bobbing in the turbulent sea as half a dozen mighty whales surged past us, gathering momentum in their purposeful swim toward some destination beyond. 

The seas around Salt Spring Island are wonderfully varied. The Narrows to the southwest plunge to incredible depths—so deep they form a natural habitat for octopus, some among the largest in the world. Rarely do they surface, yet their stories reach us in other ways. Recently a mass of great tentacles washed ashore on a nearby quiet beach. My active imagination is already conjuring a painting or two. 

 Jill

Original mixed media acrylic, watercolour, pen and ink painted on watercolour paper. Framed to size 5”x7” cold waxed no glass.