This little orca family is pictured swimming in Nanaimo's Departure Bay, with the iconic sandstone formations, arbutus trees and cedars on the island points in the scenery. Orcas have a very high emotional intelligence and families stay together with matriarchs for generations. Signe painted this while in Qualicum Beach and Nanaimo, and on the ferry. The light on the water is ever changing and capturing it in this white-blue brilliance was an objective of this painting. Bringing the orcas deeper into our consciousness as intelligent beings deserving of our respect and protection is another objective of the artist.