"The coast of B.C. and Alaska is home to the largest octopus in the world, the Pacific Giant Octopus, which can grow tentacles almost 9 feet in length. They are shy creatures and hide most of the day by camouflaging themselves among the rocks and seaweed below the tide line. Extremely agile hunters, they venture out at night in search of crabs and shrimp. I encountered an octopus on my first check out dive near Victoria, B.C. and was so moved by this intelligent, fluid animal that it started me on a life-long journey of trying to paint the underwater world. I have painted several paintings featuring octopus and generally take artistic license in depicting them red in colour which normally occurs when they are stressed or making an escape. Their red mode is the perfect counterpoint to the dark grays and greens of their surroundings."   Mark Hobson