Dunedin Dolphin Design for the Dolphin Trail

The Dunedin Fine Art Center recently was tasked with overseeing a special call for artists. The goal: Find several gifted artists interested in bringing their imaginative ideas to the table for the newest additions to Clearwater’s Dolphin Trail.

Clearwater’s Dolphins Trail is a public art exhibition featuring 6-foot fiberglass dolphins individually themed and decorated.  Initially, the designer dolphins were created to celebrate the Republican National Convention which took place in Tampa in 2012. The response was so overwhelming and the dolphins so well received that the project was extended with more dolphins joining the pod. The exhibit has grown into a public art project that spans Clearwater, Pinellas County and beyond.  The completed dolphins will be installed by the city of Dunedin, the third partner in this Dunedin Dolphin Trail project and will extend the Dolphin Trail into beautiful Dunedin.

The dolphin that I designed and painted was a challenge at times, but it was worth it!  I was inspired by the bright cheery Oaxacan paintings on hand carved wood animals for my design.  Having received the call that my design was accepted while on vacation in Santa Fe, I drew from the color palettes of New Mexico as well.  Although the colors and paterns were inspired by Mexican Folk art, the subject matter was all Florida.  I included my favorite creatures, sea urchins, coral, seaweed, and a sea turtle mom and baby.

This project was something that hundreds of people will get their photos taken by, as it is located on the water in between the Dunedin marina and the restaurant Bon Appetit.  It was an honor and a privilege to be selected to have my painting live on for years and bring smiles to everyone that sees it.