Inspiration

After completing my BFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I made the move back to the Boston suburbs to be closer to family. One of the family members I missed most was not a sibling or parent however, but rather my scaly friend Zayn.

I was given my pet turtle as a Christmas gift when I was just 13, and at the time he was the size of a nickel. Being a semi-aquatic animal, he resides in a water tank with constant filtration, but spends most of his days basking under his heat lamp.

I always have been fascinated by his beautiful shell and scales, and wanted to create a 3D piece that did his natural beauty justice. I was further inspired to work with reptiles after watching the acclaimed Garden Party short film. The vibrant textures, beady eyes, and simple joints are approachable tasks that more often than not yield high quality results, and I had to have a hand on it.