One of my new favorite hobbies is snorkeling. There aren’t a whole lot of *great* places to go a short distance from my home, but a few hours drive and I’m in the prime underwater real estate for the most colorful and beautiful places I’ve ever beheld.

I was so inspired by my snorkel trip to the Keys that I decided to paint this. The Coral Beauty has been my favorite reef fish since I started doing saltwater fishkeeping at home. I did not see this particular fish on my snorkel trip, but I did see many other colorful fish, lobster, squid, and a myriad of other creatures from the underwater world. I was astounded at the colors that occur naturally underwater. From above ground, you would never know they were there. But stick your face beneath the surface a few inches, and all the mystery beneath the water is there for you to see.

I truly enjoy snorkeling, and can’t wait to do more of it soon.