Wyland Debuts Latest Artworks to Rave Reviews

By Lori Vanny Ke

Renowned marine life artist Robert Wyland unveiled his latest artworks at Wyland Studio Gallery in Laguna Beach on Saturday.

At the gallery, fans and guests gathered to view Wyland’s unique marine life artwork ranging from vibrant dolphin paintings to creative sea creature sculptures. For the show, the artist offered special deals such as buying three of his fine art pieces and getting the fourth one free. 

Wyland showcased his newest painting, “Hawaii Volcano in the Sea,” which features whales, fish and turtles underneath a volcanic landscape. The piece was offered at a special price of $1,995, framed and shipped. “Hawaii Volcano in the Sea” was a collaboration work with artist Clint Sloan from the Big Island of Hawaii, who specializes in volcanoes. Sloan contributed to the upper third of the artwork. 

Other new artwork included Wyland’s first tiger shark painting, a dolphin sculpture made of recycled glass and bronze, and giclee pieces capturing sea life.

The artist started off his show with a painting demonstration of a polar bear, incorporating Chinese brush techniques he learned. He also painted a breaching humpback whale, adding paint splashes and sea salt sprinkles onto the painting as a graduation gift for a fan.

“I wake up everyday because I love to paint. My art is getting better. I think every artist should challenge him or herself and try to evolve their techniques and art. The more time I spend immersed in nature, the better my art is going to reflect it,” Wyland said.

Through his art, Wyland has inspired many people about the importance of marine life conservation. The artist has hosted television programs including the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet network television program “Wyland’s Ocean World” as well as “Wyland: A Brush with Giants” and “Wyland’s Art Studio,” a series for national public television. He also has founded the Wyland Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps children and families rediscover the significance of healthy oceans and waterways through educational programs and community events. 

Wyland’s collections also featured contemporary bronze sculptures catering to endangered species such as an octopus and panda. This unique line focused on taking away detail.

“From a parent’s perspective, I want my kids to be inspired by art. I want them to grow up and contribute just like Wyland,” Garden Grove resident Dorie Song commented.

His most recent project was Earth month April, which included the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation.

“I challenged every mayor and citizen in the U.S. to go to mywaterpledge.com and make a simple water pledge,” Wyland said. “We’ve had over 6 billion gallons of pledges. We are going to try and support this national and international challenge for water conservation.”

Water has been the key element in everything that Wyland has done.

“I’m a water sign first and foremost, and I grew up around water,” he said. “Now that I know about water and how critical it is, I pretty much dedicated my life to inspiring others about protecting our waters.”