Rock Lobsters of the World
Rock Lobsters
Rock Lobsters represent to me the pinnacle of crustacean evolution. These impressive animals, amongst the largest of all invertebrates are sought after around the world. My interest in Rock Lobsters grew as occasional specimens and commissions passed my way over the years and, like many fellow West Australians, I dived and fished for them underwater around our coast. Eventually my fascination with their magnificent sculptural qualities, their complex life histories and their diversity and importance to fisheries and our society generally encouraged me to embark on a quest; to create portraits from specimens of all the world’s species of Rock Lobsters.
Rock Lobsters
Rock Lobsters represent to me the pinnacle of crustacean evolution. These impressive animals, amongst the largest of all invertebrates are sought after around the world. My interest in Rock Lobsters grew as occasional specimens and commissions passed my way over the years and, like many fellow West Australians, I dived and fished for them underwater around our coast. Eventually my fascination with their magnificent sculptural qualities, their complex life histories and their diversity and importance to fisheries and our society generally encouraged me to embark on a quest; to create portraits from specimens of all the world’s species of Rock Lobsters.
Recognised Species
There are some 36 recognised species, found in temperate and tropical waters around the globe. To capture specimens of them all will pose an enormous challenge and will take my partner Catherine and I to some of the most remote corners of the globe. Several species are unique to far flung islands in the Southern Ocean, such as Tristan da Cunha, and St. Paul and Amsterdam Islands, others are restricted to isolated sea mounts off South Africa and Chile.
We are documenting our voyages to these remote locations, the process of obtaining specimens, usually from local fishermen, preparing detailed drawings of each specimen and photographing fresh colours.
Time is always limited on such overseas trips.
They are a complex, high intensity undertaking initially involving extensive research and organisation, then a great deal of on ground sleuthing, followed by non-stop work once the specimen has been found. Some of the specimen drawings can require 8-10 hours of work, often late into the night. I have drawn then on boats, in hotel rooms, on verandahs and once even in a bathroom, the only source of decent lighting for a lengthy drawing session on Easter Island.
Catherine and I are trying also to capture footage of the Rock Lobsters in their natural environment and to interview fishermen, conservationists and scientists during our travels to complete the picture of these fascinating creatures and their place in our world.
The specimen drawings from around the world are brought back to my studio where I am gradually creating life-size portraits of them all. Once the entire family has been captured for posterity we plan to re-unite all of these paintings in a folio collectors edition, as well as a more modest volume for the general public. This is a long term project, unfortunately brought to a temporary halt by the recent Covid pandemic but once this is under control we will begin work once more on the next species to be attempted.
Time is always limited on such overseas trips.
They are a complex, high intensity undertaking initially involving extensive research and organisation, then a great deal of on ground sleuthing, followed by non-stop work once the specimen has been found. Some of the specimen drawings can require 8-10 hours of work, often late into the night. I have drawn then on boats, in hotel rooms, on verandahs and once even in a bathroom, the only source of decent lighting for a lengthy drawing session on Easter Island.
Catherine and I are trying also to capture footage of the Rock Lobsters in their natural environment and to interview fishermen, conservationists and scientists during our travels to complete the picture of these fascinating creatures and their place in our world.
The specimen drawings from around the world are brought back to my studio where I am gradually creating life-size portraits of them all. Once the entire family has been captured for posterity we plan to re-unite all of these paintings in a folio collectors edition, as well as a more modest volume for the general public. This is a long term project, unfortunately brought to a temporary halt by the recent Covid pandemic but once this is under control we will begin work once more on the next species to be attempted.
