About the Killer Whale Drawing

I first saw orcas (Orcinus orca) swimming freely off Vancouver Island. Their power, coordination, and effortless movement through the water contrasted sharply with my earlier memories of captive orcas performing before crowds.

In Ocean Masters, I wanted to portray these animals as I remember them in the wild – moving together through open water with intelligence, confidence, and quiet authority. The broad expanse of sea and sky emphasizes their freedom and their place as true masters of the ocean.

Graphite pencil wildlife artwork by Michael E. Dorcas, Tantilla Art.