Turtle
Deborah Trent, 2024 · Watercolor / Gouache on paper
One summer, a large turtle wandered under my fence and into the yard—no surprise, with lakes and wetlands just beyond the woods next door. You can imagine my dog’s reaction to this “playful” visitor, popping his head in and out of that armored shell. I brought the dog inside and guided the turtle back toward the woods so he could make his way safely home.
Inspiration
I drew inspiration for this piece after learning how central turtles are in many Indigenous creation stories—North America is often called Turtle Island. The shell’s 13 larger scutes and 28 smaller plates echo the lunar cycles, symbolizing time and natural order. Turtles are seen as caretakers of water and land, keeping balance. Today, many turtle species are endangered—another reminder of what we stand to lose.
Artistic Process
I played with the turtle’s shell plates and let the watercolor flow naturally. The background is gouache, with a single fluid line to suggest an ecosystem.
- Brushes: Round 2, Filbert ½", Round 0, Micron Black 0.8 pen.
- Paints: Sap Green, Burnt Sienna, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Orange, Van Dyke Brown, Ivory Black.
Reflections
I’ll keep exploring the fascinating geometry of turtle shells—and the way they catch and reflect light.
Date of Creation
March 04, 2024