Ancient Mariner

Hand‑Burned Pyrography • Mixed‑Media Coastal Artwork

Ancient Mariner is a richly detailed sea‑turtle portrait burned entirely by hand on live‑edge basswood. Soft PanPastel and colored‑pencil accents bring gentle color to the underwater scene while allowing the natural wood grain to remain the heart of the piece. The turtle’s calm movement through drifting seagrass creates a peaceful, grounded coastal presence that fits beautifully in beach homes, nature‑inspired interiors, and curated art spaces.

This artwork is part of my ongoing coastal wildlife series, a collection focused on celebrating the quiet beauty of the Gulf Coast’s native species through fine pyrography and subtle mixed‑media depth. Each piece in the series highlights the natural textures of wood while honoring the wildlife that inspires it.

A portion of the proceeds from this artwork is donated to the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center, supporting local rescue, rehabilitation, and education efforts along Florida’s Emerald Coast.