“Salt” is a graphite drawing of the fluke of the humpback whale my wife Shannon and I saw on a whale-watching trip out of Boston Harbor in 2024. Rather than showing her entire body, I focused on her fluke—her “fingerprint.” Every humpback whale carries a unique pattern of markings on the underside of its fluke that scientists use to identify individuals year after year. In this drawing, I’ve tried to honor that individuality, rendering Salt’s distinctive markings with fine tonal gradations and close attention to texture. The drawing captures both the immense power of her descent and the quiet intimacy of that moment as she slipped beneath the water’s surface.

Salt herself is more than just another whale; she is considered the matriarch of the Atlantic and has birthed many calves over the decades. For me, depicting her fluke became a way of celebrating not only an unforgettable encounter but also her role as a mother and a living link in a vast oceanic lineage. This piece is about memory, awe, and recognition—bearing witness to a creature who embodies strength, grace, and continuity. Through “Salt,” I invite viewers to share in that sense of reverence and the profound connection we felt that day on the open water.