The painting "Turtle Talk" was an idea I had, had for quite awhile.  I really like turtles, which is wierd because I had never seen one in life for ages.  Alberta does not have any indiginous turtles, and it is against the law to have them as pets here.

At any rate while on holiday in Arizona of all places, I got some really good reference material of turtles.  At first glimpse I had thought they were all the same but as I started to paint them into the composition, I saw that there were really Three different species!  Soooo Cool!

It made painting them a challenge and I enjoy challenges.  Though to be honest when I first started this painting, I thought it would go really easy.  I should know better than that.  Every time I think something is easy or fast; it is almost always tough.  The turtles were no exception to this detail.  They turned into a shading exercise to get all the textures and shapes right.  Becasue the painting is a miniature as well, only 5 inches by 12 inches, that made it even more tricky.  I'm pleased with the end result though.  I hope you are too.