honu...

i spent most of my life assuming there were no sea turtles along the bc coast. sea turtles were for tropical seas, and i had hoped to see one when i went to oahu a few years ago, to no luck. but here? it just never occurred to me, and i certainly didn't know of anyone who had ever seen one in these eastern north pacific waters. they are rarely mentioned in reference books of the coast. but recently i have started seeing sad stories about sea turtles found on the beach this past year, poor fellows washed ashore who even when care is provided have not pulled through. this could be a cycle of ocean currents, further signs of global warming, or just a curious coincidence of these amazing creatures finding an unfortunate end. you can make your own determinations about what you think is happening, but nonetheless my awareness has been raised about sea turtles in our coastal waters, and not just those in distress that make the news. there are several species that might be found off the coast all the way up to alaska, including the green sea turtle.

with the precariousness of coastal turtles in my mind, but also their beauty and grace as they swim through the sea, i crafted this little green turtle out of linens. the underside is all a pale green linen that i solar dyed last summer; i thought the gently mottled fabric would be good for his uneven skin tone. and i couldn't resist adding a few patches to his shell, a bit of bright green amongst all the others that make him a very spring-thinking fellow. his sturdy flippers are ready to guide him through the sea with powerful strokes, exploring the far corners of the ocean. would you like to swim along with him?