Wyland

Renowned marine life artist Wyland helped change the way people think about the environment when he started painting evocative, life-sized murals of whales on building walls in the 1980s. Born in Madison Heights, Michigan, he began painting as a child and sold artwork as early as junior high school. In 1971, at age 14, he witnessed migrating grey whales while on family vacation, an event that inspired him to use his artistic talents to advocate for clean water, healthy oceans, and the majestic animals within. He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit from 1975 to 1979, then moved to Laguna Beach where he lived as a self-described starving artist.
In 1981, Wyland spray-painted his first Whaling Wall on a building facing a Laguna Beach parking lot. The popularity of his murals attracted collectors and wildlife advocates, and by 1997 his paintings and sculptures had become hugely successful. He vowed to paint 100 whale-themed murals in cities worldwide, completing this massive project in 2008 with a mile-long series of internationally themed canvases for the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Today, Wyland’s name has become synonymous with environmental conservation. Represented by Park West Gallery, his artwork appears in museums, corporate collections, and private homes in more than 100 countries. He continues inspiring others about marine life conservation through his paintings, sculptures, and photography, crediting oceanographer Jacques Cousteau as a major influence on his art and career.