Two sea turtles swim through bright blue water while shafts of sunlight fall from the surface. Around them, schools of small fish, striped angelfish, clownfish and a lionfish move over a reef of coral, anemones and swaying kelp.

The oil paint is thick and visibly brushed, and it gives the water and the reef a lively surface. Deep teals and ocean blues set off the warm reds, oranges and yellows of the fish and coral.