Ocean Arts

Paul Fearn Portfolio

Three Colours Blue I and II, by Paul Fearn
Three Colours Blue I and II Diptych by Paul Fearn. Copper sheet painting with patinas, two 40 x 30cm panels

British artist and avid diver Paul Fearn paints beautiful underwater scenes and marine life on copper metal plates, using unique patinas that evoke the ambiance and watery depths of the underwater realm. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist, who is based in West Sussex, to learn more about his unique artistic process as well as his perspectives on diving and saving the fragile ecosystems of our oceans.

Tony Fredriksson Portfolio

Humpback Whale, driftwood sculpture by Tony Fredriksson
Humpback Whale, driftwood sculpture by Tony Fredriksson

Originally from Zimbabwe, artist Tony Fredriksson is a sculptor based in South Africa who creates incredibly life-like sculptures of marine life out of driftwood, drawing inspiration from how the wood is eroded by weather, scoured by streams or sanded smooth by sand. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to learn more about his artworks and creative process.

Nate Wilson Portfolio

Banggai Cardinalfish Shoal, 36in x 24in, watercolor by Nate Wilson
Banggai Cardinalfish Shoal, 36in x 24in, watercolor on paper by Nate Wilson

American artist Nate Wilson creates beautiful and enchanting watercolor paintings of marine life with great attention to the unique characteristics of each species. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to find out more about his artwork and creative perspectives.

Mariko Kusumoto Portfolio

Sunken Treasure, by Mariko Kusumoto. Polyester, 12 x 12in
Sunken Treasure, by Mariko Kusumoto. Polyester, 12 x 12in

Originally from Japan, artist Mariko Kusumoto, now based in the United States, creates delicate, translucent, ethereal, textile sculptures and wearable art featuring colorful reef coral forms in beautiful compositions, which have been shown in Europe, Asia and the Americas. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to learn more about her creative process and perspectives.

Kate Jonker Portfolio

Softness, by Kate Jonker
Softness, by Kate Jonker. Tubular hydroid, photographed using a very slow shutter speed and wide-open aperture to create a dreamy effect. Lit with two torches, one with a yellow filter and one with a pink filter

Kate Jonker is an award-winning underwater photographer and coach, internationally published writer and public speaker, dive boat captain and dive guide based in South Africa.

Setsuo Hamanaka Portfolio

Bigeyes, 65.2 x 90.1cm, oil on canvas oil on canvas by Setsuo Hamanaka
Bigeyes, 65.2 x 90.1cm, oil on canvas oil on canvas by Setsuo Hamanaka

Self-taught Japanese artist Setsuo Hamanaka creates beautiful, detailed and dynamic paintings of aquatic life in a variety of settings from the open ocean and mangroves to freshwater ponds and cityscapes. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to learn more about his creative process and what inspires him about the underwater realm.

Curtis Atwater Portfolio

Close Call, 12 x 16in, acrylic on canvas board, by Curtis Atwater
Close Call, 12 x 16in, acrylic on canvas board, by Curtis Atwater

Canadian artist Curtis Atwater creates beautiful paintings of marine life and underwater scenes that capture the light and dynamic motion of species under the waves. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to learn more about his creative process and perspectives.

Nansi & David Gallup Portfolio

Life Opalescent, 22 x 28in, oil on linen, by Nansi and David C. Gallup
Life Opalescent, 22 x 28in, oil on linen, by Nansi and David C. Gallup

American collaborative artists David Gallup and Nansi Bielanski Gallup create dynamic, compelling and atmospheric paintings of marine life and underwater scenes, rich with color, texture and light, inspired by their adventures under the waves. Well-traveled divers, the husband-and-wife team have dedicated their artistic endeavors to raising awareness and understanding of coral reef and ocean ecosystems.

Dave Clarke Portfolio

Octopus, electroformed copper sculpture, by Dave Clarke
Octopus, by Dave Clarke. Electroformed copper sculpture, 40 x 30 x 30cm

British artist and avid diver Dave Clarke, currently based in South Australia, creates beautiful, detailed and dynamic patinated copper, bronze and recycled steel sculptures of marine life, which seem to flow in the liquid medium of the sea. X-Ray Mag interviewed the artist to find out more about his creative process and perspectives.

Olga Nikitina Portfolio

Red Fish in the Red Sea, by Olga Nikitina. Oil on canvas, 25 x 20cm
Red Fish in the Red Sea, by Olga Nikitina. Oil on canvas, 25 x 20cm

Russian artist Olga Nikitina is an underwater painter with a degree in interior design and a dive instructor at the Egyptian Red Sea who creates brilliant and beautiful impressionistic paintings capturing the sublime light and textures of coral reefs and the dynamic energy of marine life.