‘Burrunan Sunset’

Soft Pastel | 44.4cm x 32cm

This piece was inspired by my love of the ever beautiful Mornington Peninsula, with its stunning beaches and sunsets and the unique Burrunan dolphins (tursiops australis) that live there. 

Though only discovered as a seperate dolphin species in 2011, their numbers are small and as such they are already considered endangered.

A marine sanctuary down the far south east of Port Philip Bay has been established as a place where dolphins can seek some refuge from boating activity, in an attempt to help protect them. 

But with recreational activity ever increasing in the bay and too many people disregarding approach regulations, the dolphins are being increasingly disturbed and there’s a need for more protected areas and greater regulations and enforcement around them.  

I hope that by depicting the beauty of these special dolphins, and the waters they call home, more people will be inspired to respect them and strive towards greater protection and more dolphin sanctuaries.