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"I often portray recognizable individuals in my paintings." "As a whale watch naturalist for ten years and continued travel to study whales, I have documented the physical attributes of many individuals by photographs, field sketches, and careful observation."

Humpback Whales "Silver", "Beltane" & "Cats Eyes" Hearth & Kettle Restaurant, Falmouth, MA Silver (left) was originally named "Long John Silver" because this whale had only one tail fluke. "Long John" was dropped when she showed up in 1980 with a calf, Beltane (shown right at the age of 5). When Beltane had her first calf, Cats Eyes, in 1985, it was the first time three living generations were identified for certain.

Humpback Whales "Salt" & "Ibis" - 5 ft. x 15 ft. Mural:

Hearth & Kettle Restaurant, Orleans, Cape Cod: (only partial view)

"Salt" was first sighted in 1975 and the first whale documented in 1976 as part of the research program by the Center for Coastal Studies.

She is named and recognized by the large white patch on her dorsal fin. Her other striking feature is her almost all white flukes. She is probably the most well-known humpback in the world. She has had many calves and is a grandmother.

To read a 2008 update about Salt, visit: "Salt"

"Ibis" was documented in 1979 and made history as the first whale to be successfully freed from a life-threatening entanglement on Thanksgiving Day, 1983, by the Center for Coastal Studies Whale Rescue Team. It was feared she had not gained enough weight to sustain her during the winter for her trip south to the Carribean, however, the next spring she returned with a new calf.

Right Whale "Stars" and calf "Stripes" - 5 ft. x 15 ft. Mural:

John Carver Inn, Plymouth, MA: (partial view)

The North Atlantic Right Whale is the most endangered whale in the world, numbering less than 300.

This population took the brunt of early whaling days because it was the "right" whale to hunt and was already endangered by the end of the 1700's. It has been protected since 1937, however, no significant recovery has resulted.

"Stars" was first documented in 1981. She appeared with this calf in 1986, "Stripes." Stars is easy to recognize because she has a rope entangled through her baleen and around the upper jaw. After careful assessment of her ability to feed and move adequately, no intervention was deemed necessary. The artist chose to remove the rope.

"Beltane & Cats Eyes" - Life Size:

30 x 50 ft.Kid 'N Kaboodle Building, Orleans, MA.

The humpback whale, Beltane, made scientific history in 1985 at the age of 5 years when she returned to Cape Cod with her first calf, "Cats Eyes."

As a result, researchers now learned that a female humpback was reproductive at the age of 5, rather than the age of 10-12 years once thought. Outlook for the recovery of the species was now more optimistic.

The artist was among the passengers on a whale watch boat out of Gloucester, MA, who were the first to view Beltane's new calf that year.

The Wyland Whaling Wall, Boston Clark worked with the Wyland team on this mural on a Boston building. For more photos visit: ClarkStudio News.
Capt. Elmer's Restaurant, Orleans, MA, Cape Cod. Humpback Whale with Atlantic White-sided Dolphins.

Significance of Names:

Many species of whales have identifiable physical markings, patterns or scars. Names are associated with the whale's markings. Individuals are easier to recognize in the field this way (it's easier to remember than a computer number) and much more personable.

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