Corky - 2004

Corky turns 40 this year, having been born off the coast of British Columbia in 1964 to her mother, A23, also known as "Stripe." Unfortunately Stripe passed away in 2000, at about 53 years old. Corky's brother A27 (Okisollo) died in 2001 at the age of 29. Currently, the surviving members of her immediate family are sister A43 (Ripple) and brother A60 (Fife).

Corky currently resides at Sea World California and is the oldest orca in captivity. She lives with her "niece" Orkid and five other orcas. Orkid is the daughter of one of Corky's extended family members.

This is just kind of a commemorative picture for her, done with watercolor, colored pencil, and acrylics. My watercolor needs heaps of work. I don't really like how the trees came out. Initially I wanted them just sort of a mash of green - kind of an out of focus look. That didn't work out, really, so I added more detail, but I still don't like them. Too bright, I think.