Sea Turtle Linocut Print

I feel I am writing more about creatures other than logbook British birds at the moment, but my practice is firmly rooted in a love of nature, and a desire to make a difference in my small way by using art to engage people with some of the conservation issues being tackled across the country and beyond

Having drawn the baby sloths from the Jaguar Rescue Centre a few weeks ago, I started following their Instagram account to find out more about the work they do. I have to be quite careful with my exposure to conservation efforts as I have a very low tolerance threshold for animal distress or cruelty and at the risk of sounding as if I don’t want to know or distance myself from the problem, it’s actually quite the opposite!

There was a difficult story involving 13 green sea turtles that had thankfully been rescued by the Costa Rican police and coastguard, and the turtles are now being cared for at the Jaguar Rescue Centre. They require a great deal of attention and the Centre are naturally asking for donations. I wanted to raise some money by using my art – something I am increasingly being drawn to – and thought the shapes and markings and reptilian skin would make a good linocut.

I’ve not done Lino for aaaaages and was looking for something to carve, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I have printed off a few and will sell them with a pledge that 50% of the sale price will go to the Jaguar Rescue Centre. As with all my prints, they are very variable but that is part of their charm!