I recently sat down with the mission to paint a sperm whale. As with all my paintings, I like to create a connection to the animal, which is why they're so often a whimsical style and colourful.
I generally start by reading about them and looking at a ton of images and scientific drawings. As I learned more about them, I stumbled across the most beautiful facts.
Female Sperm Whales are one of the few species—alongside humans, orcas, and a handful of others—where females live long after they stop reproducing. This allows older females, often grandmothers, to take on a vital leadership role in their pods.
Post-menopausal sperm whale grandmothers help care for the young, share their knowledge of where to find food, and protect their family from predators like orcas. Their presence increases the survival chances of their pod, showing just how important wisdom and experience are in the animal kingdom.
They are the ones who ensure the young survive and thrive. They teach, they lead and they protect.
I was lucky enough to have my Nan into my early 20's. This story got me thinking about how much she influenced me, and continues to do so, about how she has shaped who I am today. I often still find myself wondering what she'd think of decisions I've made, where life has taken me, what it would be like to still have her.
She was a steady force in my life, offering guidance, love, and always sharing stories that undeniably shaped who I am. My nan was born in India and lived there well into her 40s - she had the most wonderful stories and these stories helped me put together all the puzzle pieces that make me me. Without her, there has always been a missing piece.
There’s something really moving about knowing that out there in the deep blue, far from our world of noise and distraction, grandmother sperm whales are passing down knowledge, just as human elders have for generations. It reminds me to slow down, to listen, to honor the wisdom of those who came before us. In their world, survival is built on connection, something we, too, could learn from.
It’s also a beautiful reminder that aging isn’t just about decline—it’s about stepping into a new role, one that can shape future generations.
Maybe that’s why I feel drawn to paint them—trying to capture something beyond their form, something of their spirit. When I put brush to paper, it’s not just about the whale itself; it’s about the stories, the lineage, the quiet power of those who guide us, whether in the sea or on land.
I Would love to hear your thoughts—do you feel a connection to whales too? Or is it just me?
You can see my sperm whale and grandmother and young calf here. I’ve hand finished these prints with gold gild for some extra ocean magic, and added moons and stars as a way of connecting us to them. Some people have asked me to add initials to these and gifted them to loving grandmothers. See what you think and thank you for reading
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