Tag: underwater

Valerie Taylor – An Adventurous Life!

Featured by communicatingcreatively, posted in Books

This morning, I finished the book that is the title of this post. I had started the book earlier this year, but as sometimes happens, distractions and life in general get in the way and the book didn’t get picked up for some time.

Over the past two to three weeks, my Wife and I have had the displeasure of experiencing the RSV virus so we have had more time at home than is normal. Time spent convalescing also gives one time to think about life, but I’ll save that for another post.

Back to the book, which itself was a pleasant distraction at a time of illness.

I remember as a child/teenager growing up in the late 60’s and into the ’70’s hearing about some of the adventures of Ron & Valerie Taylor, so I uttered a keen ‘Yes’ when my Father-In-Law asked me if I would to read this book.

My interest in Ron & Valerie sprang from them being Underwater Photographers/Film-makers, in particular their filming of Sharks. They filmed the underwater scenes in Jaws, which was a favourite movie of mine back in the ’70’s.

The book is an inspirational read, and as it highlights on the back cover, Valerie had to overcome many obstactles, including health issues to lead ‘her adventurous life.’

I highly recommend this book!

Wriiten by David Johnson

6 July 2025

Ocean Creatures – A New Adventure!

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Painting

Last year, as I was foraging through the Art section of the Argyle Emporium in Goulburn NSW Australia, (where they have 500,000 second-hand books), I came across a book, ‘Learn to Draw & Paint Ocean Creatures’ by Daniel DePierre. It cost the princely sum of $2.00, is A4 in size and is only 31 pages in length.

After the initial purchase, it sat on the shelf for some time. I would pick it up occasionally, look through it and think, ‘I should have a go at sketching/painting one of the subjects.’

I bought the book initially because I had never attempted to sketch/paint marine creatures and thought it would ‘get me out of my comfort zone.’ Every time I looked at attempting one though, I had thoughts like, ‘I really need to be less tired to do this’, or ‘I’m not in the mood to attempt this’ etc. This sort of thinking is not really helpful at all.

On the 23 January this year, I finally decided to attempt one, a Manta Ray. I am using the images as a reference to sketch from but I am not actually doing the tutorials. This was for Day 1,452 of a Watercolour Sketch a day. I was pretty happy with my attempt.

I had planned to do my next marine creature the week after (and do one a week) however, it didn’t work out that way. The next time I attempted one was on 14 May (4 years, 108 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day). This time, I attempted the Walrus and am pleased with this one as well.

Third one attempted was a Dolphin. Love Dolphins! Such intelligent, friendly creatures. The Dolphin sketch was the most fun thus far. This one was done on the 9 July this year (4 years, 164 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day). My Wife (who loves Dolphins even more than me), wants me to do an A4 version so we can get it framed and hung on the wall.

The final one I have attempted as at today was a Blue Whale which I did this morning as my, 4 years, 171 days of a Watercolour Sketch a Day. Very happy with this one!

There are 10 more marine creatures left to in the book and some of them appear quite challenging:

  • Clown Fish
  • Emperor Penguin
  • Great White Shark
  • Deep Sea Angler
  • Moray Eel
  • Whale Shark
  • Lobster
  • Sea Horse
  • Sea Turtle
  • Octopus

I’m sure that the above list will be as fun as they are challenging, which are two great reasons to do them. I shall be revisiting the ones that I have already done, over time as well to see if I can improve on them.

It is really enjoyable, ‘stepping out of one’s comfort zone.’ Stepping out of your comfort zone really is ‘where growth happens.’

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?

Till next time, happy sketching and painting! 🙂

Written, Sketched and Painting by David Johnson

16 July 2023

Wonderful Atmosphere

by communicatingcreatively, posted in Poetry