Photo by Lou Mora
Bridge to Kelp Jungle
2025
Following the Prism series, which focused on the surface and reflected my first steps into exploring the kelp forest, my Bridge to Kelp Jungle series marks a deeper journey into these underwater and rainforest worlds. While Prism captured the play of light, movement, and reflection on the ocean’s surface, in Bridge to Kelp Jungle, I move beneath and beyond, using my imagination to merge the dense, shadowed richness of tropical rainforests with the fluid forms of kelp.
I created this work in the months before traveling to Costa Rica, inspired by a vision to confront my darkest shadows. As my freediving practice led me deeper into the ocean, my paintings began to follow, diving below the surface and into the unknown. This series is where observation meets imagination, guiding me — and I hope the viewer — from the initial shimmer of surface light toward the immersive and transformative depths that define the Bridge to Kelp Jungle collection.
Above: A viewer takes in 'Bridge to Kelp Jungle I.'
Photos by Ingrid Bostrom Photography.
Available Originals
'Bridge to Kelp Jungle' Process
Walnut oil paint on earth-friendly canvas or linen
The 'Bridge to Kelp Jungle' collection is inspired by my vision of the jungle, infused with the vibrant energy of a tropical rainforest, set underwater. This series is about embracing the imagination, diving into deep shadows and discovering the lush colors of the tropics.
The series began with bold, transparent layers of color applied directly to the white canvas—glazes that would eventually give way to depth, light, and form. Forgoing an underpainting, I leaned into a process of trust, letting intuition guide the early, vibrant marks. As the piece evolved, each successive glaze softened the energy, allowing a luminous sense of depth to emerge organically.
