Originally painted with acrylic and sprayed with a high gloss finish.

Using the top end of inkjet printing papers available today from the leading manufacturers in the field. They are predominantly 300gsm or above in weight, most are 100% cotton base, and all are graded as museum quality. You can expect a print life of between 75-150 years.

Artwork Synopsis

The young southern elephant seal, affectionately referred to as "Neil," has garnered significant attention on social media due to his amusing beachside behaviours, which include chewing on traffic cones and napping in driveways. His endearing personality has secured him a global fan base. Currently, Neil is already quite large, but over the next two years, he is expected to grow to an impressive length of up to 5 meters and weigh as much as 3,500 kilograms. 

Seals come ashore for various reasons, including resting, recuperating, and giving birth, a behaviour known as "hauling out." Additionally, they undergo an annual molt that lasts approximately four weeks before returning to the ocean until the subsequent breeding season. 

In this painting, ‘Neil the Seal’ is whimsically illustrated wearing a fedora and Ray-Ban sunglasses, imparting a sense of charm and playfulness. I greatly enjoyed the creative process of this body of work, which embraces vibrant colours and a light-hearted sense of humour, while also highlighting the distinctive traits of Australian wildlife.

Painted 7th of March 2024