Procreate, 2026
For the 2026 California Seaweed Festival in Monterey, the theme was "Dive in!" In my composition, I wanted to emulate a swaying seaweed shape, while also conveying the motion of diving into the ocean. "Biodiversity" and "harmony" were two key words as I planned out the composition! I wanted to emphasize the variety of creatures living along our coast, and the connections they share and ones that we share with them too.
I carefully researched different sea creatures which are native to California's coast, including a harbor seal and the vermilion rockfish. As for seaweed, I selected those also native to our coast, such as nori and bull kelp. To reference the location of the festival, I included bits and pieces of Monterey, including the Highway 1 sign and a can of sardines (referencing the historic Cannery Row).
