Melody
The
Mermaid

‘I am a painter, before I am a diver, before I am a writer, I am a painter.’

– Valerie Taylor AM in her recent ABC Interview.

Valerie Taylor AM

Valerie Taylor is an Australian recognised around the world as a pioneering ocean explorer, marine conservationist, cinematographer, still photographer and author. What is not widely known about Valerie is that her first career and first love was cartoons and illustration.

We at CollaborOCEANS were honoured to celebrate her life’s works selected from her personal collection, including paintings specifically done for Melody the Mermaid and her Adventures in the Kingdom of the Sea. It was with great delight that the world was given access to her whimsical marine illustrations depicting an adventurous mermaid named Melody who is a marine life guardian. Some of Valerie’s works of Melody were projected onto the ‘Sails’ of the Opera House as a part of the World Ocean Day CollaborOCEANS celebrations.

The 41 original watercolours were exhibited at Taronga Zoo in Dalang Ballroom, a successful evening of art, music, and artist talks, all followed by a Gala Dinner.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Valerie has a keen eye for colour and structure, honed by many years working as an illustrator and photographer. It takes a very special combination of skills to share a passion for the marine environment with others through one’s art, and to communicate this visually. Her lifelong dedication to capturing marine species accurately and precisely in watercolours is evident in her works. In the collection she shares her illustrations of whimsical and fanciful sea creatures born from her imagination, such as exquisite mermaids and merry merboys. The friendly marine world she has visited so often comes to life in her artworks.

Valerie hopes that by sharing her paintings with the public, as she has so generously done with her film images, she can continue to educate, inspire and create hope for the future of the protection of our marine life.

Melody the Mermaid Adventures in the Kingdom of The Sea children’s book can be purchased from Amazon.

Valerie Collection – Sea Glory Swim

Melody the Mermaid went from beautiful illustrated artworks on paper to a collaborative vision on children’s ethical and educational swimwear, called Sea Glory Swim.

CollaborOCEANS Founder Timothy Johnston and CollaborOCEANS Ambassador Courtney Purcell joined creative forces, together with Valerie Taylor, bringing her marine illustrations to life on the special collection – called ‘VALERIE’ – SS2021/22.

Melody The Mermaid is depicted as a magical adventurer under the sea with gorgeous sea life and species illustrations that represent some of the most beautiful marine ecosystems in our ocean.

‘WE ARE HONOURED TO SHARE VALERIE’S AMAZING ART AND MAGICAL PERSPECTIVE OF THE OCEAN WITH YOU, IN THIS BEAUTIFULLY WHIMSICAL FAIRYTALE-LIKE “VALERIE COLLECTION”, PRESENTING THREE DESIGNS AND COLOUR-WAYS THAT WE KNOW YOU WILL JUST LOVE.’  

Courtney Purcell, Founder of Sea Glory Swim

The – ‘VALERIE’ – collection can be seen on www.seagloryswim.com