The assignment was on a social justice issue; I chose water pollution and the animal cruelty of Sea World. The theme that inspired me first was how unacceptable that our world is covered in our trash, and nothing is being done. I later added the concept of the whale because these creatures are suffering for our selfish acts. My goal of this piece to open people’s eyes with what’s happening with our home.

I approached the assignment with caution. I didn’t want people to think Sea World is helping the issue with these amazing creatures, due to the fact they’re being pulled out of their polluted homes. I decided to communicate my message with bright colors of trash and the Sea World straps on the Orca. I didn’t want the background to take away from the foreground, so I used watercolor to paint an orangish-yellow sky. This topic relates to my life experience when I went to Long Beach in Los Angeles. The water was a greenish color with pieces of trash in the water.

My first thought for the project was a goose covered in trash at a beach. My idea changed because I wanted a bigger picture to represent my concern. So I ended up making whale being transported to Sea World. Being forced to move from its natural habitat. I made this piece with a bit of watercolor and a lot of acrylic markers. During the process of the project, I didn’t plan on using color. Coloring isn’t one of my artistic strengths. However, I was introduced to the acrylic markers and loved them. So then I decided to try the markers.

Crystal Sanchez

Free Willy Where?

February 2020

Watercolor, Acrylic markers