Sea creature illustrators on Instagram

February 7, 2024 8:19 AM

I’m back to ask the same question but about your favorite artists for any kind of water-dwelling creatures (shrimp, squids, jellyfish, axolotls, whatever—any water really, not just the sea).

You guys were so helpful for expanding my knowledge of whimsical cat illustrators! For the sea creatures I think I may still want whimsy but I’m pretty open so just tell me your favorite and maybe it will be mine too.

posted by babelfish to Media & Arts (12 answers total)

The art of my good friend Phineas X. Jones often involves cephalopods. (Note: Phin isn't a MeFite, but is MeFite adjacent as a lot of the Gen X age, ex-bloggers here know him well.) A lot of what he does is sort of made-up recombinant creatures, like his (semi famous, oft-imitated) Octophant. Or this guy. Or this one. I also enjoy his Squid in Morning Dress.

This one is a bit more straightforward.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 9:04 AM on February 7

Are salamanders and fellow travellers on the mark? Ethan Kocak (@blackmudpuppy) is awesome! Axolotls for days.
posted by maudlin at 9:15 AM on February 7

Ernst Haeckel! His fantastical compositions are hyper-detailed but simultaneously swirled with a surrealist vibe that makes anatomical drawings into eye-widening dreamscapes.
posted by FatherDagon at 9:58 AM on February 7 [6 favorites]

Blascka
posted by effluvia at 10:11 AM on February 7 [1 favorite]

Dale Chihuly
posted by effluvia at 10:17 AM on February 7

Bowiebranchia
posted by effluvia at 11:41 AM on February 7

Ray Troll. Some realistic, some pretty far-out fish paintings.
posted by ovvl at 11:43 AM on February 7 [3 favorites]

I second Bowiebanchia for nudibranchs who rock the looks of David Bowie!
posted by a humble nudibranch at 12:58 PM on February 7

Response by poster: (Love the nudibranch home team enthusiasm but I believe these are photographs, not illustrations!)
posted by babelfish at 1:57 PM on February 7

Pikaole! Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr.
posted by Lorc at 2:05 PM on February 7

I like the art work of Ramon Matheu who is inspired by the Chesapeake Bay and its creatures. He has a lot with the Maryland Blue Crab, oysters, and even seagulls.
posted by maxg94 at 11:18 AM on February 8

Jill Bliss I don't think she's on Instagram anymore but her work is wonderful and whimsical!
posted by ljesse at 8:54 PM on February 12