The inspiration for this mural came while Larry Foster was working with Braggadoon Signs and Graphics to arrange and print his book The Art of Discovering Whales, based on his lifetime of work as a marine illustrator specializing in marine mammal anatomy. Kiersten, the owner of Braggadoon connected Larry with Lia Morsell, the director of the Alleyway Art Project and suggested that one of Larry’s illustrations be converted into a mural. Lia agreed, but wanted the mural to be life-sized or larger. She reached out to the North Coast Brewing Company because their brewery has a large wall, and the company has a wonderful history of supporting local marine science and conservation projects. Marta Alonso Canillar was selected to install the mural, and worked closely with Larry to make sure every detail of the Gray Whale in Kelp was depicted correctly, making this one of the most scientifically accurate murals of a Gray Whale in the world. 

“Marta Canillar and I worked beautifully together on ‘Gray Whale in Kelp.’ We wanted to show the true essence of the gray whale and the correct nature of kelp. We also wanted to show off our great North Coast Brewery. This is very good for whales, kelp, beer, and Fort Bragg.” -Larry Foster

• Bull kelp is an annual that can grow between 60 to 100 feet over the course of one season.
• It’s long stipe or stalk can stretch or contract it’s height up to 38% to adjust to daily tides, keeping the kelp ribbons near the surface to allow for maximum photosynthesis.
• The name Nereocystis translates to “mermaid’s bladder”

For more fun facts about kelp check out The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp

Born in Sacramento, California, in 1934, Larry Foster was, from a young age, captivated by the largest animals on Earth—whales. Larry’s education is not in biology or scientific illustration, but rather in fine art; he earned a BA (1956) and an MA (1960) from California State University Sacramento.

Under the guidance of profound teacher, artist, and friend Wayne Thiebaud, Larry’s scholarly accomplishments became advanced. This training in the formal values of art helped Larry develop his awareness in color themes and classic composition, and sharpened his ability to capture the very essence of each subject. With an insistent draft citation from the U.S. Army in the late 1950s, Larry served a two-year tour of duty in Colorado Springs, then, worked as a technical illustrator at Aerojet General in Rancho Cordova, California, while studying for his master’s degree. He secured a position as an art teacher at Encina High School in Sacramento, and six years later,  established teaching positions at California State University Hayward, as well as at California College of Arts and Crafts, and Laney College, both in Oakland.

In the 1960s, many people began to look more closely at the deterioration of the Earth’s flora and fauna caused by humankind’s routine indifference. So, with that in mind and with a growing urge to study external whale anatomy, Larry dived into an aesthetic examination of whales and dolphins (Cetacea). His intention was to produce anatomically precise depictions of all species of Cetacea, a challenge fraught with difficulty. Whales are not easy subjects of living studies today; and this was especially true back in the 1960s and ’70s.

It was during this period that Larry created a non-profit cetological group called General Whale to promote efforts to spread the love of whales through art. He produced whale prints, posters, illustrations, bumper stickers, pewter jewelry, pendants, hat emblems, bumper stickers, more and more, as well as life-sized whale sculptures that traveled across the United States to promote whale conservation.

“I became so engrossed in my quest for information on the external anatomy of Cetacea that I became divorced, quit my teaching job in Sacramento, moved to Oakland, and lived in a warehouse, which was a great whale studio. After several years of intense study and high artistic output, all at the grassroots level, many new images of whales, from glass to life-size sculptures and everything in between, were developing. Everything I did was a first. The animals were found to be not blimp shaped but more attenuate, with profoundly beautiful body forms. Then, to my surprise, National Geographic magazine came to me. They wanted to see and publish my corrected views of whales. So did the Smithsonian and many other publications, museums, universities, and environmental institutions. I was making whales look good for the first time. Today, over five decades later, I still am..” -Larry Foster

Before Larry’s pioneering anatomically correct whale depictions, guesswork by whale artists had always prevailed. Larry played a key role in differentiating whales from whaling, and educated millions of humans over the years to appreciate the incredible and unique, sleek, streamlined, beautiful animals that whales are.

No other single individual has done so much to correct our misinterpretations of the appearance of any group of animals as Larry.

Dr. James Mead, Curator of Marine Mammals at the  Smithsonian Institution, has said of his work, “Larry Foster has turned whale illustration into a science. The depictions that he has done are the most anatomically correct I have seen.”

Larry and his sweetie, Mary, live on the beautiful Mendocino Coast with their highly evolved dog Jack.

Marta moved to the United States from Spain when she was 21 and eventually found her way to Mendocino  in 2001. Like many artists, she feels like her artistic journey is intrinsically tied to her journey in life. It’s a journey to find the courage to overcome all manner of insecurities and obstacles to be an artist. She found an inspiring mentor In 2014 when she took an oil painting class with Cynda Valley, a Willits artist at the time.  She describes the experience as “uniquely heart and soul opening.” Cynda taught her the technicalities of oil painting but also encouraged her to look at her art as part of her self, and extension of her being, and to confidently experiment and explore.  Marta clearly has a gift for drawing inspiration from the world, colors, shapes and patterns around herself. She is drawn to portraits, with  a strong connection through the eyes, rural settings, farm animals, old barns, bees, hearts and peeling walls and rusty elements, dreams and made up realities. 

Visit martaalonsocanillar.com to view more of Marta’s artwork or contact her to commission your own mural.

“I wasn’t kidding when I said I wanted to paint big, but I never thought I would be doing anything this big.” -Marta