Sharks

Saving the scariest for last 😳 I knew I was going to have to tackle these guys at some point. Sharks are one of the most inspiring, strongest, fastest, and certainly most frightening apex predators in the oceans. I’m super intimidated by sharks, largely due to the fear forced upon me from watching the classic movie JAWS as a kid. I grew up thinking that they were savage beasts that would viciously rip your limbs off at any moment. And while this may be true in some situations, I’ve come to view them in a less terrorizing way lately.

Living in Tahoe and Colorado I’ve certainly had more exposure to dangerous animals on land than in the ocean. In my mind, at least for my own nervous system - I think it helps to compare sharks to mountain lions. When hiking in the mountains, you’re in their territory, and you know they are out there. All you can do is simply try your best to not accidentally encounter one and freak each other out. I believe the same can be said for sharks. Hopefully we just steer clear of each other and both go about our separate ways!

It’s for this reason I wanted to depict them way down in the depths, far below anyone who might be surfing or foiling on the surface. Peacefully exploring the dark corners of shipwrecks and the sandy sea floor. Y’all can be as creepy as you want to be down there… and I’ll totally leave you alone up here… deal?