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Ochre Sea Stars

Ochre Sea Stars line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Ochre Sea Stars full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Ochre Sea Stars was completed on 5.10.2011. Someone did a search on my site for starfish, and I realized they might make a good addition to the library of image. I thought a single starfish might be a little dull for an illustration, and as this species has different colors (correct me if I'm wrong here!) I thought a little tableau with the starfish and some small bi-valves might make an interesting visual.

Information about the Ochre Sea Stars:

The Ochre Sea Star - also called the Purple Sea Star - is a common starfish native to the rocky coastlines and intertidal zones of the northern Pacific Ocean. While most of the species are purple, color variations can include orange, yellow, red/brown and brown, depending on the location and temperature of the water. This species of starfish is carnivorous and feed on mussels. The Ochre Sea Star has five eyes located at the tips of the arms. They don't have vision, but these eyes are sensitive to light. These echinoderms are often exposed when the tide is low. They attach themselves to the rocks by way of their tube feet. These feet are used to keep the starfish in place and prevents them from being swept out by the massive wave action which are common within the intertidal zone.