Sea Turtle

Acrylic with 23 karat gold leaf on clay board.

30x30x2"

Sea Turtle captures the quiet grace and suspended movement of one of the ocean’s most iconic creatures. Rich turquoise tones and layered acrylic surface work create an immersive underwater atmosphere that feels both contemporary and calming.

Created using a combination of traditional brushwork and selective finger painting, the painting carries a tactile softness that enhances the fluid movement of water and light throughout the composition. Direct hand blending allows portions of the surface to feel organic and atmospheric while maintaining the structure and presence of the turtle itself.

Rather than covering the entire surface in metallic leaf, 23-karat gold is used selectively only where sunlight naturally strikes the turtle’s shell and body, creating subtle flashes of reflected light that shift gently as the viewer moves around the piece. This restrained use of gold gives the painting elegance and realism while preserving the serenity of the underwater scene.