The Crane Keeper — Volcom/SeaWalls
“The Crane Keeper”: Volcom x Seawalls: Aaron Glasson Collaboration.
The Whooping Crane is one of the rarest and most endangered birds globally, facing a significant population decline due to habitat loss and over-hunting.
For the First Peoples of this region, the bird is an important symbol of peacemaking. In this mural, it is lovingly held in the arms of a young girl, whose body reflects interconnectedness, blending with the landscape as water, land, and sky, symbolizing its domain.
In times of increasing environmental loss, what small part of the natural world can each of us protect and care for?
What lessons can we learn from the original caretakers of this place and their intimate connection with the environment?
Exploring our impact on the water that sustains us is a crucial path to discovering self-worth and a deeper spiritual bond with the planet.
Aaron glasson collaboration
This was a collaborative mural — painted over the course of four VERY hot days — by myself and Aaron Glasson
I jump at every opportunity to collaborate with different artists, especially with a deeply beautiful and endlessly talented soul like Aaron. He and i have worked together for years in locations far and wide, primarily under the banner of the SeaWalls project and the PangeaSeed Foundation.
On this occasion, we collaborated in support of the Sea of Change Volcom x PangeaSeed Foundation retrospective print show, as part of a fundraiser hosted by the Volcom Garden in Austin, Texas.
Aaron is one of my favourite artists on the planet. His diverse portfolio consists of vibrant murals, paintings, illustration, films and interactive installations.
Hailing from New Zealand, he now lives in the desert somewhere near Jacob’s Tree. His work is inspired by life, exploring the coexistence of the unseen and the observed. Aaron has also been a foundational part of the PangeaSeed Foundation family from the beginning, acting as the Creative Director for the Organization.
Volcom garden — Austin, texas
The Garden is a one-of-a-kind retail boutique, full-time art gallery, and live music events. It is curated by skate-art legend / Austin resident Michael Sieben, who also heads up Volcom’s art program worldwide.
Additionally, the space serves as the physical embodiment of Volcom’s “True To This” mantra. Its a creative hub for anyone that needs an outlet to express their passion.
For this pop-up show, the PangeaSeed Foundation (PSF) opened their artwork archives. They featured a selection of over 100 art prints by globally renowned contemporary artists for their Sea of Change print suite program.
Each artwork in the series focuses on a specific threatened ocean species, vulnerable habitat, or environmental issue. The collection is established on the belief that a drop of paint can create an ocean of change. By harnessing our collective creativity, we can help save our seas.
Tre Packard — a treasured friend and the founder and executive director of the PSF —supported the creation process closely.
He is an internationally renowned public art curator and award-winning environmental photographer. His work marries art and activism in order. to cultivate a new era in marine conservation.
Tre is also the co-creator of the Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans public art project. This initiative has curated over 450 environmental ocean-themed public artworks in 18 countries since 2014.
Washed in color
We applied many layers of colored wash to the wall using highly watered-down paint, a roller, and a fat brush. This technique added some very beautiful and subtle texture / colour transitions.
Despite the punishing effects of a blazing Texas summer sun, Aaron and I were pleased with the results of this experimental approach.
As a result, the process of using colour wash continues to be an important tool in the way I paint murals.
a drop of paint can create an ocean of change
