Minako Ota

This diptych with octopuses is from my marine series. I started painting the series of vividly colored marine creatures in the spring of 2020 when COVID-19 became a severe threat to the US. We were being challenged in health and economic aspects and so many others, such as social, political, racial, and spiritual. I started creating this series to inspire people to live more fully and joyously, no matter their circumstances. Life began in the oceans, and we are still a part of this fantastic living ecosystem connected by this vast body of water.