Portfolio > Surviving Bear Island - Tufted Rugs

This is my personal favorite among the Bear Island rugs. The oversized sea lion really captures the completely overwhelming nature of Tom's predicament. I played with the images of Tom in the kayak and the sea lion hovering above him for a long time before I realized how big the creature needed to be to line up with my understanding of Tom's terror and isolation.

I had a lot of fun with the patterns in the sea lion's hide and particularly in his snout where I tried to catch that grimacing look they get right before they open their jaws for a yawn or a roar.