Portraits and Fine Art by Nancy Tilles

Coral Reefs and Marine Life
Portraits of Children | Portraits of Adults | Equestrians | Dogs
Orchids | Water Lilies | Roses | Gladiolas | More Flowers | Palm Trees | Butterflies | Peacocks | Custom Work

"Sea eScape I and II" - diptych oil on canvas 96" wide x 36" high

In the summer of 2005 I began The Sea eScape Series as completely separate paintings. The paintings were inspired first by a snorkeling trip to Key Largo with my family,

We took several underwater photographs. One of the pictures my husband took inspired me to paint Sea eScape II. I was intrigued by the way the fish were swimming away from the viewer. The Blue Tang fish were so blue and the bubbles created an interesting pattern. I saw how one fish stood out from the rest, the Sergeant Major, who simply was not in school with the Blue Tang. I called that one "Sea eScape II - Wayward Fish".

"Sea eScape I - Color Queens" was inspired by a photograph that I took of the underwater landscape and the interesting patterns created by the light reflecting off the coral. When I placed the paintings side by side, I realized that they could connect so I transformed them into a diptych. I really enjoyed working with the color and trying to remember the beautiful colors that I had seen which did not translate well in the photographs that we had taken.

"Sea eScape III and IV" - diptych oil on canvas 78" wide x 36" high

The following summer, 2006, we took several more trips to the keys and I created the next two in the series. The inspiration for these came from a combination of photos and one very special one that my husband took and uses as a backdrop image for his cell phone. Although the Hawksbill Turtle is not a very colorful turtle, it was my desire to push the color to the max and make their shells shine with light. I called them "Sea eScape III - Gemstone Hawksbill Turtle" and "Sea eScape IV - Hawksbill Turtle - Flying Free".

The entire series measures about 14.5 feet long. There are 5 artist proofs each and a total of 49 each will be created in this signed, gallery wrapped, limited edition.

"Sea Folk" - triptych oil on canvas 78" wide x 50" high

"Sea Folk" was painted in oil as a triptych that evolved over a three month period during the summer of 2006. It was again inspired by snorkeling trips to Key Largo. The Parrot Fish fascinate me with their rainbow of colors and the comical look of their faces. The Sergeant Majors were very abundant and striking and the Blue Tang are just gorgeous.

When I began the painting I tried hard to emulate the colors I used in the "Sea eScape" series, which featured very vibrant orange, reds and blues, but every time I would attempt to use these bright colors the painting would cry out against them and I finally gave up and used variations on blues and greeens. This worked and the painting came together for me.

This painting has a more whimsical feel to it than most of my other paintings and I am very pleased with the result. Two of the original paintings measure 24" x 50". The middle panel is 28" x 50". Together, the triptych is 6' 4" wide x 50" deep. They are available as giclees in any size.

"Sea Food Chain" - triptych oil on canvas 108" wide x 48" high

This painting was completed in the summer of 2007. It is an unusual painting for me because it is a whole scene under water. Most of my paintings concentrate on single subjects. This painting tells the story of the sea and how every living thing has a purpose and must eat other living things to survive.

The images were inspired first by an underwater photograph I took of the yellow tail snapper feeding on seaweed. The activity reminded me of a kind of food frenzy. I chose the center image because of the patches of sand that reflected the sky above giving it a feeling of a lagoon under water. I carried the yellow tail snapper throughout the three paintings. In the center panel, the fish are being stalked. The one about to be caught has been marked by me with a red tail. The first panel shows a stingray floating high above the sand it usually hides in.

My family and I have been snorkeling in Key Largo now for the past five years. It is such a privelage to have such a treasure in our own "back yard". It is our duty to enjoy and protect it.

"Loggerhead Sea Journey" - triptych oil on canvas 108" wide x 48" high

"Loggerhead Sea Journey" is forth in my series of multiple paneled paintings inspired by the beauty of our underwater world. In this series baby loggerhead turtles enter the sea in great numbers to join their relatives.

The inspiration for the painting came from a trip to the Loggerhead Marine Life Center of Juno Beach where I photographed rescued loggerhead turtles waiting to be released into the wild. I wanted to show the baby sea turtles from another prospective. They are almost always shown heading toward the water on the beach. The adults act as a focal point for each of the three paintings. If you do not look carefully at the paintings you might mistake the babies for fish.

"Loggerhead Sea Journey" is a triptych of the baby loggerheads joining their relatives in the sea. What I like most about this painting is the concept of hope. The Loggerhead turtles are endangered. In this painting, they are pictured in great numbers. Perhaps there will be hope to save our ocean's treasures.

My painting (the first panel) was chosen as a finalist for TurtleFest 2009 Poster Contest.

Each original panel is 36" wide x 48" tall. The entire series measures about 9 feet long. Signed embellished, gallery wrapped, limited editions of 49 giclees on canvas and five artist's proofs of each painting may be created in the original painting's size. Giclees can also be made in custom sizes on canvas or paper, as well.

"Sea Horse I & II"
diptich oil on canvas 20" wide x 20" high each

"Sea Horse I and II" is part of a series on fish portraits. I researched many seahorses and chose these to paint. I found many other colorful examples. I wanted these particular painted sea horses to appear regal. The original paintings measure 20" x 20" square. They are available as giclees in any size.

"Juvenile Queen Angelfish & Emporer Angelfish"
Diptich oil on canvas 20" wide x 20" high

Part of a series on fish portraits. The original paintings measure 20" x 20" square. They are available as giclees in any size.

"French Angelfish & Sargent Major"
Diptich oil on canvas 20" wide x 20" high

Part of a series on fish portraits. The original paintings measure 20" x 20" square. They are available as giclees in any size.