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American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus)
Watercolor on cold-press watercolor paper
9 x 12 in.
$500 (framed)

This painting was inspired by an oystercatcher pair that nested in Smith’s Cove, one of my favorite places on Appledore. I found the nest on one of my first days there, and the eggs (which are hidden among the rocks at the oystercatcher’s feet) hatched during my time on the island. Original sold, limited edition prints available.

Scope
Pen and ink on heavyweight drawing paper
12 x 18 in.
$750 (framed)

Scope is a collage of diatoms and dinoflagellates I found in the waters around the island. These microalgae continuously inspire me both in their beauty and the influence they have on our lives. They make 20% - 30% of the world's oxygen, and are responsible for much of its carbon sequestration. A single quart of seawater can contain more than a million diatoms ¹. I spent a significant amount of time on the research vessel at Shoals participating in plankton tows- collecting samples, observing them through the microscope, and drawing them. Original available.

¹ Diatoms of North America. “What are Diatoms?” Diatoms.org, 2021, https://diatoms.org/what-are-diatoms.

Atlantic Cod Skull (Gadus morhua)
Graphite pencil on lightweight drawing paper
12 x 8.5 in.
$200

The Atlantic Cod has a long history here on the East Coast. Cape Cod gets its name from the abundance of fish that used to reside in Atlantic waters. However, due to overfishing, the population collapsed in the 1990’s, and now the species is federally protected and managed. Read more about the recovery here. Original available.

Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus)
Colored pencil on vellum
8 x 9 in.
$400

Sea Moss, or Irish Sea Moss, is a beautiful type of red seaweed that grows along the Maine coast. I’ve always been in love with its whimsical shape and beautiful tones, which range from brown to green to the beautiful purple and pink tones you see here. Original sold, limited edition prints available.

American Pollock (Pollachius virens)
Pen + ink on Bristol paper
9 x 12 in.
$450

This piece was drawn in the Palmer-Kinne Lab on Appledore, using a traditional dip pen and ink well. After this drawing, I went saltwater fishing while at Shoals, and ended up catching pollock both times! Original sold, limited edition prints available.

These pieces are inspired by the month and a half I spent at Shoals Marine Laboratory this spring, located on Appledore Island in the Isles of Shoals, Maine. I started there as a biological illustration student on Appledore, but quickly fell in love with the island's culture and environment. I extended my stay by becoming a student staff member and continued creating works in my free time, inspired by the island and drawing from the lab's resources. Historically an artists' colony, it inspired those such as Childe Hassam, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Celia Thaxter, who was a permanent resident on the island and started Celia Thaxter’s Garden, which is still maintained today. The island became a marine laboratory in 1966 but still draws from its rich artistic heritage.

Pink-hearted hydroid (Ectopleura crocea)

THEONA GEHAN

exploring the confluence of science and art in coastal Maine

theonagehan@gmail.com