In March of 2020, I certified as a Virginia Ecotour Guide. We concluded our final field trip at Belle Isle State Park with a stop at the nearby Awesome Oysters facility on Morattico Creek on the Rappahannock River in Virginia. I met owner/operator Tom Jeffries who expressed interest in commissioning me to create a series of Oyster-themed paintings to support the public educational goals of his oyster selling business. He is also interested in establishing a natural oyster reef to compliment his aqua farming activities within his leased oyster habitat.
After completely extensive research and visiting the oyster farm to photograph many of the creatures who make their home among the oysters, I created this 24x30 acrylic painting of my conceptual view of a thriving natural oyster reef. It is called Awesome Oysters - Life on an Oyster Reef. I included many animals native to the Chesapeake Bay and its surrounding waters.
Awesome Oysters - Life on an Oyster Reef by Brenda M. Sylvia Acrylic on Canvas 24x30 inches 2020
How many underwater creatures can you spot in this painting? Below are many of the animals featured in my thriving reef. You can learn more about Oyster Reef restoration at The Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
