concept painting process finished van
These Turtle van photos were taken January 7, 2002, by Brenda Lamb
The van will be used in the aquarium's Classroom on Wheels program.
Be sure to visit their web site for more info about the Loggerhead Turtle (caretta) and their efforts to protect and rescue them. www.CMAquarium.org
The painting project is now near completion. Still in the paint booth, here are a few photos of the artwork. The van should be completely finished and Clear Coated by next Monday, Jan. 14 and these photos will be updated.
I am using automotive ( urethane ) paint to airbrush the images. I cut masks for all the sections and shell of the each turtle. Maybe you can see some of those masks hanging on the wall of the paint booth.
Both sides
of the van have this image at the rear.
I cut the intricate masks to flip in use for both sides.
The sides
of the van are very difficult to photograph in the paint booth.
I am anxious the see it out of this confined area and see what it
really looks like... from more than 3 feet away. 
The artwork is based
on the Loggerhead Turtle ( Caretta Caretta ) that we have in these Gulf
of Mexico waters. They nest on our shores and are the focus of the Clearwater
Marine Aquarium's protection and rescue efforts. The Loggerhead has a
much larger head to proportion to its body.