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This striking painting by Christian Bustamante depicts a red crab wearing an old yellow diving helmet as it walks across the ocean floor surrounded by seaweed and shells. “This surreal image evokes different sensations in those who observe it. Each viewer can interpret the scene in their own way,” says the Salvadoran artist, who created the composition using acrylics on canvas.

Christian Bustamante expertly uses acrylics on canvas to paint the vibrant figure of a red snapper that has just been caught in an energizing yellow background. “For this composition, I drew inspiration from my country’s rich artisanal fishing heritage,” says the Salvadoran artist. “The inspiration sprung from the waters of the sea that sustain so many low-income families in coastal communities, becoming a vital link to the reality around me. The choice to portray a red snapper is not just aesthetic; it is a statement about the cultural and economic importance of this species in people's daily lives. Every stroke and shade in the painting aims to capture the essence of artisanal fishing, an activity that is not just a livelihood but a way to preserve deep-rooted traditions.”

Titled Pesca del Dia in Spanish.

Using acrylics on canvas, Christian Bustamante expertly depicts a sea turtle gracefully gliding through the depths of the ocean. “This majestic species is sadly endangered and deserves all the protection we can provide,” says the Salvadoran artist. “With this painting, I wish to raise awareness about the importance of preserving and caring for these incredible creatures, inspiring actions that contribute to their conservation and the care of the marine environment they inhabit.”

Titled Salvemoslas in Spanish.

Working in a loose, Impressionistic style, Laura Villanueva in Mexico paints this original artwork. The oil and acrylic on canvas painting depicts the Virgin Mary in a golden mandorla, an almond-shaped aureole typically used in iconographic medieval art.

Working in a loose, Impressionistic style, Laura Villanueva in Mexico paints this original artwork. The oil and acrylic on canvas painting depicts the Virgin Mary in a golden mandorla, an almond-shaped aureole typically used in iconographic medieval art.

Three colorfully-clad fishermen paddle hard for home in this appealing artwork from Emmanuel Atiemoh Yeboah in Ghana. He crafts the piece using cotton fabric and scraps of batik cloth, painted with oil colors and ink. The piece is presented in a ceiba wood frame ready for hanging. The fishermen's boat bears the motto, 'Sea Never Dry' which "stems from the belief that people have an immense capacity for creativity," explains the artist.

Rendered in a pointillist style, the Virgin of Guadalupe clasps her hand in silent prayer. Mexican artist Laura Villanueva paints this original composition, working in oils and acrylics on canvas. The Virgin's cloak is spangled with stars in the inspirational painting.