There is something almost magical about seeing an orca beneath the moon. The ocean becomes quieter, the horizon softens, and the familiar silhouette of the orca takes on an entirely different presence.
Luna y Orca was inspired by that quiet relationship between the ocean and the night sky. I wanted to capture a moment that feels intimate and still—one orca moving through dark coastal waters beneath the soft glow of the moon.
The deep blues and subtle reflections create a sense of calm, while the orca becomes the focal point of the scene. Rather than portraying the animal through dramatic movement, I wanted this piece to celebrate its presence—the feeling of encountering one quietly in the vastness of the ocean.
There is something especially meaningful to me about painting orcas within the waters of the Pacific Northwest. They are such an important part of this coastline, and every time I paint one, I find myself returning to that connection between these remarkable animals and the place they call home.
The natural character of the wood adds an organic element to the scene, making the artwork feel like a small fragment of the coast itself. Luna y Orca is a quiet nighttime encounter—a moment suspended between the ocean below and the moon above.
Dimensions: 9.5" L × 5" H
Artwork: Original, hand-painted driftwood
Subject: Orca pod beneath the moon
Medium: Hand-painted mixed media on natural driftwood
Finish: Clear resin
Base: Handcrafted copper feet
Display: Self-standing
Signed by: Mara Szyp
There is something almost magical about seeing an orca beneath the moon. The ocean becomes quieter, the horizon softens, and the familiar silhouette of the orca takes on an entirely different presence.
Luna y Orca was inspired by that quiet relationship between the ocean and the night sky. I wanted to capture a moment that feels intimate and still—one orca moving through dark coastal waters beneath the soft glow of the moon.
The deep blues and subtle reflections create a sense of calm, while the orca becomes the focal point of the scene. Rather than portraying the animal through dramatic movement, I wanted this piece to celebrate its presence—the feeling of encountering one quietly in the vastness of the ocean.
There is something especially meaningful to me about painting orcas within the waters of the Pacific Northwest. They are such an important part of this coastline, and every time I paint one, I find myself returning to that connection between these remarkable animals and the place they call home.
The natural character of the wood adds an organic element to the scene, making the artwork feel like a small fragment of the coast itself. Luna y Orca is a quiet nighttime encounter—a moment suspended between the ocean below and the moon above.
Dimensions: 9.5" L × 5" H
Artwork: Original, hand-painted driftwood
Subject: Orca pod beneath the moon
Medium: Hand-painted mixed media on natural driftwood
Finish: Clear resin
Base: Handcrafted copper feet
Display: Self-standing
Signed by: Mara Szyp
