California Coastal Series
Pacific Seahorse
Artwork Details
Technique: Needle Felted Sculpture
Dimensions: 10" wide x 16" high
Collection: California Coastal Series
Availability: Private Collection
Many people are surprised to learn that seahorses live in California waters.
This piece is a male Pacific Seahorse ("Hippocampus ingens"), the only species of seahorse found along the California coast. It is also the largest seahorse species in the region, growing to about 12 inches in length. At 13 inches, my seahorse is just slightly larger than life size.
I wanted to create a sculpture that celebrated the remarkable beauty of this unusual animal while staying true to its natural form.
The entire seahorse was created from needle-felted wool, a process that took approximately 35 hours to complete. One of the most time-consuming details was adding the distinctive brown markings. Every single spot was needle felted individually, gradually building the texture and pattern found on the real animal.
Although seahorses are well known for their unusual appearance, they are even more fascinating up close. Their curled tails allow them to anchor themselves to seaweed and other underwater plants, helping them stay in place as ocean currents move around them.
If you'd like to learn more about Pacific seahorses, these organizations have excellent information: