Mermaid Week Illustration

Official Mermaid Week illustration commissioned by the Mermaid Society SMTX with art direction assistance from July Moreno. Within the mermaid you can find (from tail to head) the San Marcos Salamander (endangered), Fountain Darter (endangered), fresh water spring, the underground limestone of the Edwards Aquifer, the Texas Blind Salamander (endangered), fresh water spring, Texas Wild Rice (endangered), Guadalupe Bass, Spotted Gar, Red Eared Slider Turtle and Great Blue Heron or Great Egret depending on your preference. Can you find the sacred hidden word?

Personally inspired by my 7+ years as a community art organizer in SMTX, 4.5 years as an environmental interpreter / glass bottom boat driver at the Aquarena Center / Meadows Center for Water & the Environment, the Texas Wild Rice Festival and it's visionaries including Ashley Waymouth, Thomas Waymouth (Thom Thumb) and Samantha Beasley.

"Mermaid Society SMTX and its spin-off efforts pay tribute to the history of the Aquarena Springs' Aquamaids — San Marcos' first "Mermaids." San Marcos is the only city in Texas that has a natural claim to the Mermaid. Her "unlikely presence" in the middle of Texas is part of her charm. The Mermaid associated with Mermaid Week SMTX is the guardian of our river and all its inhabitants. Her image is meant to serve as a symbol for our city to remind all to respect and protect the natural beauty and resources of our river for generations to come."
www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com