Sketches at Sea

 This photo album (and the art within) was created by NA181 Science Communication Fellow Sabrina Medina.

I find that one of the best ways to commit something to memory is through art. I am constantly looking for ways to preserve stories, feelings, and moments through drawings or writings. I grew up with the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and paint splattered on kitchen counters. My mom brought art into my life when I was young; her paintings were always so intentionally planned and executed, beautifully framed and hanging on the wall. I, however, enjoy the process of recreating a memory on paper more than the product itself.

When I discovered I would be sailing across the Pacific on the E/V Nautilus, I was in the middle of moving my life from Guam to Hawaii. I would be on expedition NA181; we’d be exploring the deep sea around Wake Island and making a Pacific crossing from Guam to Hawaii; it felt poetic to make the same crossing by sea. To document the adventure, I knew I would need a creative outlet. So I brought a travel watercolor paint set, a few pens, a single brush, and a 3.5-by-5.5-inch watercolor notepad.

The days can blend together when you’re at sea for 31 days on a 24/7 fully operational vessel. Finding time between the watches, ship-to-shore calls, sleeping, and eating to sit with my paints and sketch something has become part of my routine at sea. I typically start with a wash of color on the page and a few rough outlining strokes of my image. I try not to outline my sketch with pencil, challenging myself to lean into mistakes and commit to what is on the paper. My time painting isn’t supposed to be polished; it’s part of what makes the process fun. It’s explorative and reminds me of the importance of play. This gallery is an ode to creating, slowing down, and being observant.