© 2012 Honor Marks

Portuguese Man O War tentacles
oil on canvas
10x10"
$475

The Portuguese Man o' war isn't a single organism but a colony of four creatures attached to a balloon-like sail. It has no means of propulsion and is simply blown about in the gull stream. They seem increasingly to be blowing to the South Carolina coast to the dismay of surfers and swimmers- the beautiful tentacles contain a dangerous toxin and painful sting.