Acrylic on canvas, 29.5x40
 
This painting is born from a powerful real-life story — the incredible rescue of a humpback whale named Foggy by the dedicated Campobello Whale Rescue Team of the Canadian Whale Institute in Atlantic Canada. For decades, Foggy had been a familiar summer visitor to the waters of the Bay of Fundy, her presence beloved by local whale researchers and whale-watchers alike. In one tragic season she was found ensnared in ropes and fishing gear — the lines wrapped tightly around her head and body, dragging weights that prevented her from swimming freely or lifting her massive tail and fins.
 
When the distress call came in, the Campobello Whale Rescue Team — a group of highly trained volunteer fishers and biologists committed to saving entangled whales — raced out into challenging waters with specialized cutting tools and deep respect for these gentle giants. Working carefully beside the immense humpback, they worked to free her from the bindings that threatened her life. Nearby, another whale named Grommet stayed close throughout the ordeal, a loyal companion whose presence seemed to bear witness to the tension and hope of the moment. Once Foggy was released, Grommet leapt from the water in a stunning breach, a breathtaking burst of energy that felt like an exclamation point on a story of survival and compassion.
 
I chose to paint this scene bathed in the warm glow of sunrise. To me, that sunrise isn’t just a setting — it’s a symbol of freedom, renewal, and new beginnings, echoing the very moment when Foggy broke free from danger and rose again into the open sea. The light of dawn reflects not only the start of a new day but the enduring promise of life restored — for the whale, for the rescuers, and for every viewer who believes in the power of hope and human connection with the natural world.