Whale Fall

This painting explores the concept of whale falls. When a whale dies, its body sinks to the ocean floor, where it becomes an island of life. The whale’s body is eaten by countless organisms over generations, recycling nutrients and supporting ecological growth in an otherwise nutrient-poor environment. The whale also plays a role in the carbon cycle: the whale’s stored carbon is locked away in sediments for centuries, keeping it out of the atmosphere. This painting is set in the Scavenger Stage of a fallen whale’s decomposition.

Whale falls are a powerful example of the cycle of life, where death fuels new life continuously, showing that nothing is ever truly wasted in nature.

Reflective Question: In what ways do you see cycles of renewal reflected in the world around you?

Whale Fall, 16 x 20", 8/25, oil on canvas

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