Showing importance of protecting our coastlines. I saw the similarity in patterns of these

three amazing animals, and used them as a metaphor to show the connection of our desert dunes

with the Sonoran sea, and in order to protect the sea, we can’t forget about the beach habitat.

Many a trip snorkeling in Cabo Pulmo was spent watching the pufferfishswim among the rocks and coral. I had bonded with our pufferfish animal ambassador, “Biff”, in the Cabo Pulmo tank at the Desert Museum, so was thrilled to find so many of his cousins in the Cabo Pulmo sea. It was only fitting that this fish be showcased in my art, and used at a metaphor for connection and change.

The desert iguana has always been my favorite lizard, and this particular one that we saw in the dunes was a wonderful model, and its striking black and white pattern (different than others I’ve seen) instantly made me think of pufferfish, so my concept of connecting the desert with the sea was developed.