The Devoted Mother (Red Octopus) -Original Alcohol Ink Painting

Did you know a mother octopus, especially the Giant Red Pacific Octopus, dies not from getting sick or being hunted, but literally out of love?

This process, called semelparity (or “reproductive death”), is the ultimate act of going all-in. After she lays her thousands of eggs, the mother locks down. She stays in the den, never leaving. Her entire life force is poured into protecting, cleaning, and aerating those eggs until they hatch. Once hatched, she soon perishes, the ultimate gift of love.

This year, my husband and I officially became empty nesters. We moved our kids into their college dorms at NC State and watched them start a new exciting chapter of their lives. Driving home, Andy and I felt a love so massive, a devotion so deep, it was difficult to let them go. While our lives go on (thankfully!) we definitely felt a sense of finality to this new life stage.

This painting “The Devoted Mother” is my tribute to our wild, exhausting, and ultimately beautiful journey. The Giant Red Pacific octopus is a magnificent, natural metaphor for parenthood and the beautiful, consuming nature of pure love. As she travels up to the surface, she takes a last breath before gently releasing her babies to a marvelous, colorful new world. 🌊 🐙

This alcohol ink painting took about 12 hours and is #2 in a series of ocean works.

 20 H X 26 W X 1.75D inches. Creation Date: 10/25/25