Marine life artist Wyland saw the ocean for the first time when he was fourteen years old. On that fateful day, two gray whales broke the surface less than a hundred yards from where the young artist stood. More than four decades later, Wyland is world-renowned for his life-sized marine life murals, paintings, sculptures, photography and his commitment to the conservation of our blue planet. An avid SCUBA Diver, award-winning filmmaker, and educator, he has been hailed a "Marine Michaelangelo" by USA Today and recognized for his art and conservation efforts by the United Nations and on the floor of Congress. With over a million art collectors around the world, his artworks have been featured as part of two Olympic Games, major stamp issues for the United Nations Postal Administration, and large-scale art projects, including a mile-long marine life mural installation at the U.S. National Mall. He has hosted numerous television programs, including the series, “Wyland’s Ocean World,” on the Discovery Channel’s Animal Planet Network, an hour-long documentary, “Wyland: A Brush With Giants,” and “Wyland’s Art Studio,” his current series for American Public Television. His non-profit Wyland Foundation, which he started more than a quarter of a century ago, has set the standard for environmental outreach, using art, science, and community events to inspire children and families around the world to become caring, informed stewards of our oceans, rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands. Wyland currently resides in Laguna Beach, California.