Stippled whale shark hand-burned on a basswood round measuring 9in x 6.5in

Years ago I had the privilege of swimming alongside a whale shark in La Paz, Baja California. This gorgeous, serene creature was able to cruise through the waters so effortlessly while I swam my little heart out just to get left behind in their bubbles. For one life-altering minute, I got to swim side by side with that whale shark, pulled along by its wake as it searched for plankton, a moment etched into my psyche forever.