Wyland
1954–
Renowned marine life artist Wyland helped change the way people think about the environment when he started painting his evocative, life-sized murals of whales on the sides of buildings in the 1980s.
Today, Wyland’s artwork can be found in museums, corporate collections, and private homes in more than 100 countries. He resides in Laguna Beach, Islamorada, and the north shore of Hawaii.
READ MORE +Personal History
Born in Madison Heights, Michigan, Wyland began painting as a child, selling artwork as early as junior high school.
In 1971, Wyland’s life would change forever. At the age of 14, he witnessed migrating grey whales while on vacation with his family. The event inspired him to use his artistic talents to advocate for the future of clean water, healthy oceans, and the majestic animals within.
“As the environmental movement grew in the early ‘70s, I was an artist that was right there and heard the call for conservation,” Wyland says.
“Kissing Dolphins” (2011), Wyland
Wyland attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit from 1975 to 1979. He later moved to Laguna Beach where he lived as a self-described “starving artist.” In 1981, he spray-painted what would become the first of his “Whaling Walls”—life-size images of whales—on a wall facing a Laguna Beach parking lot.
Thanks to the popularity of his murals, Wyland garnered the attention of collectors and wildlife advocates alike. By 1997, Wyland’s artwork—including smaller paintings, sculptures—had become a huge success. Merchandise featuring his imagery was available at zoos and other outlets.
In wake of the impact that first life-size mural in Laguna Beach had, he vowed to donate his time and effort to paint 100 whale-themed murals in cities around the world. He finished this massive project in 2008, with the creation of a mile-long series of internationally themed canvases as part of the cultural festivities for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Today, the name Wyland has become synonymous with environmental conservation. He continues to use his marine life paintings, sculptures, and photography to inspire others about the importance of marine life conservation, and has expanded his outreach with his award-winning non-profit foundation.
“Your Sea Turtle Paradise” (2013), Wyland
His life, like his art, takes him everywhere, from the Antarctic ice shelf on a photo expedition to document climate change to a grassroots journey down the Mississippi River.
“I think being an artist is one of the coolest gigs on the planet,” Wyland says. “It is the greatest job you can have.”
Style and Inspirations
For his compositions, in particular his murals, Wyland believes in the wisdom of “less is more.” He seeks to make an impact by depicting the simplicity of nature, which in turn highlights its complexity.
Wyland credits famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau as a major influence on his art and career. He recalls watching Cousteau’s television specials in the ‘60s and ‘70s, and credits the French explorer for instilling “an entire generation of people like myself” with a love for the ocean.
“Ocean Passion” (2011), Wyland
Much of Wyland’s art is inspired by diving with and photographing whales, dolphins, and other marine wildlife. His up-close studies of these animals in their natural habitats provide Wyland with reference materials to draw upon when creating his compositions.
Wyland typically begins by sketching onto the canvas in pencil, then paints basic details based on these sketches before painting in his background. From there he brings his subjects to life utilizing a wide array of vivid colors.
Accomplishments
- Wyland formed the non-profit Wyland Foundation in 1993. Current and past partnerships include the UN Environment, the U.S Forest Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National League of Cities, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- Wyland’s artwork has been used on specialty license plates in California and Florida, reaching an audience of millions.
- Wyland’s passions for scuba diving, educating, and exploration has led to him hosting several television programs, including, “Wyland’s Ocean World” series on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet Network, “Wyland: A Brush With Giants” and “Wyland’s Art Studio,” a series for national public television.
- His conservation efforts have resulted in strategic alliances with notable organizations like the United States Olympic Team, United Nation Environment Program, and Walt Disney Studios.
- Wyland’s 100th marine life mural, “Hands Across the Oceans,” is a 24,000-square-foot, half-mile-long series of canvas murals created with student artists from 110 countries. The mural is located in Chaoyang Park, Beijing, China.
- Wyland’s Whaling Walls series was displayed in October 2008 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and was honored by the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
- In May 2010, the United Nations released six Wyland images for an international stamp issue celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.
- In 2013, Wyland released a documentary film titled “Blues Planet: Sounds.” The film focuses on environmental challenges and how people are combating them.
- In 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line revealed that Wyland was chosen to paint the hull of its third Breakaway-Plus class ship, Norwegian Bliss. The ship began sailing in 2018.
- In 2018, Wyland donated his time to paint a mural honoring the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that claimed the lives of 17 people. Students helped paint the mural on the wall of the Westglades Middle School neighboring the high school.
- Now in its eighth year, the Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is one of the pre-eminent national water conservation programs in the U.S., with residents from over 3,500 cities taking part each year.
