dolphin memory – Heni's Happy Paintings

Dolphin Playing with the Sun - acrylic painting by Heni Sandoval — Dolphin Playing with the Sun – acrylic painting by Heni Sandoval

Dolphin Playing with the Sun is another painting I did last summer after our Hawaiian trip. One morning while on our trip we got up very early to rent kayaks at Kealakekua Bay where we paddled over to a spot that had the best snorkeling reef on the Big Island. As we were crossing the bay a large pod of spinner dolphins joined us. They are named spinner dolphins because they love to jump up out of the water and spin. It was quite a thrill to see them do this.

With this painting I wanted to show a dolphin playfully jumping out of the water with the big sun in the background. Lately I have become fascinated with the close up images of our sun with the solar flares dancing up. There is so much movement; it is mesmerizing to watch. Scientists think these solar flares effect our planet with magnetic waves in some way. I tried to paint the sun showing lots energy and radiating movement with the dolphin leaping out of the water happily in tune with this energetic connection.

Kealakekua Bay - photo by Mike Kunze — Kealakekua Bay – photo by Mike Kunze

Last April we went to a family wedding in Hawaii. One of the highlights of our vacation was swimming with dolphins. While snorkeling at a coral reef I looked over to see a pair of dolphins swim by. We swam out to where there were more and watched them frolic. They were so playful and the beauty of the light through the clear blue water reflecting on their bodies was striking. Here is a photo that my niece took of them.

spinner dolphins — photo credit: Julia Kunze

I have always loved dolphins. Throughout my childhood every year our family went to St. Simons Island off the coast of Georgia for a week in late August. We used to fish at the Point – a lovely spot where the beach met the marsh. I remember fishing on the rocks there and just waiting to see the dolphins that occasionally passed through. It was very exciting to spot them, they seemed so joyful and free.

Through the years I’ve dreamed about dolphins. As a kid I liked gymnastics but could never get past my fear of doing back handsprings. My dad said it was because I was so tall and had a big head; whatever the case, I never mastered it. I remember a powerful dream that I had in my twenties when I was going through a particularly tough time and feeling a lack of confidence. In the dream a group of dolphins swam around me and helped me do a back handspring. With their help it was so easy to do and I woke up feeling they had given me a gift.

Since getting back from Hawaii, I’ve been inspired to paint them, the painting below is my third one. Dolphins are a great example of just how joyful life can be. It is my hope that these paintings help convey that joy.