Gray whale migration

Robi Smith
Mixed media and acrylic on wood panel
24" x 48"
sold

This mixed media painting charts the annual migration of the gray whales from their winter calving lagoons in Baja, Mexico, to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea, Alaska.

On their incredible journey, the whales navigate increasing hazards from ghost fishing gear and over-eager whale watching tours, to natural predators (Bigg's orcas), and chemical pollution from human activity on land. Despite these challenges, the gray whale population in the North East Pacific has rebounded to healthy numbers after nearly being wiped out by whalers in the 19th century. To me, they are a ray of hope connecting marine ecosystems along the west coast of North America.