My relationship with the ocean is complex. Many of my most joyful memories are made up of moments when I’m either immersed in the sea or walking along the beach, admiring all of the many colours, shapes and expressions of this majestic mass of movement. As a child I was always the first one in the water and the last one to get out; so comfortable in and fascinated by this other world underneath the surface.
When I was sixteen and training to become a lifeguard, my father drowned in a fishing accident, and so my whole relationship with the ocean changed. How could something that I love so much take a person that I love so much away from me? After that, in my anger and bitterness, I turned away from the sea for a while.
Eventually, I started to get in touch with the ocean again, bit by bit, and as I did I found great joy and healing, as if coming back home; coming back home to the water and to myself. It was a profound experience. As a part of this healing process I began painting moments from this journey and suddenly found that I have a whole collection of images and paintings as a result.
I continue to paint and I’m more in love with the ocean now than ever before. Sometimes it scares me and my old fears and grief rise up, but I simply acknowledge it, feel it, and express it through my art.
The sea is so personal for many people – it holds memories and feelings; it’s a very powerful thing. Something to be respected and appreciated. It’s sad to see all of the pollution that litters it now – it has changed so drastically in such little time. This is why I’m trying to be as ethical and eco-friendly as possible when packaging my art. I use 100% biodegradable cornstarch sheets for my prints and reuse old packaging when shipping a painting. Because of my own personal experience, I also donate 10% of profits from my Etsy shop to the International Life Saving Federation – an organisation made up of lifesaving organisations from around the world. https://www.ilsf.org
My name is Fiona, I’m an artist from Ireland, painting ocean-inspired art. When someone purchases one of my pieces, I hope that they’re taking away more than just a pretty picture – I hope that it’s so much more for them, as it is for me.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fionarossart/
Online shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueWildTribe