"America's Reef" - A tribute to Florida's John Pennekamp Coral Reef Preserve:

I painted this triptych from memories of diving off Key Largo in the 1960s. I always took my Nikonos underwater camera with me and have a good photographic record of the fish and coral. I refer to these photos for accuracy and detail when painting today.

The three original paintings in the America's Reef triptych were painted with acrylics on art board.

About the John Pennekamp Coral Reef Preserve:

In 1975 Congress designated the barrier reef off Key Largo, Florida, a national marine sanctuary, thus fulfilling the dream of journalist John D. Pennekamp, who campaigned tirelessly to protect these magnificent reefs when he was editor of the Miami Herald.

The Florida Keys support a very complex and delicate ecosystem unique in North America. I was fortunate to have experienced this beautiful world in the 1960s when the coral reefs were still lush and healthy. Sadly, most of the coral is now dying, victim of growing human populations and environmental pollution.

My dream is to see America′s great reef return to a strong healthy environment and to allow all animals their rightful place on earth.