*Wildlife Jewels Collections Sapphire the Harbor Seal photo + art by Azi S./ © Wildlife Jewels*

Meet Sapphirine: Wildlife Jewels Collections’ Newest Coastal Jewel

Meet Sapphirine the Harbor Seal, the newest addition to our Jewels of La Jolla™ Collection—first observed during our EYES™ La Jolla monitoring and brought to life through original Wildlife Jewels® artwork.

Meet Sapphirine the Harbor Seal!

Wildlife Jewels® Collections is delighted to introduce the newest addition to our Jewels of La Jolla™ Collection: a majestic harbor seal we’ve named Sapphirine the Harbor Seal.

First observed and photographed by our founder during EYES™ La Jolla coastal wildlife monitoring, Sapphirine was later hand-drawn and painted in the studio—transforming a real-life encounter into a conservation-inspired artwork.

A Moment on the La Jolla Shoreline

During one of our EYES™ La Jolla coastal wildlife walks, our founder noticed a serene harbor seal resting along the shoreline. Bathed in ocean light and framed by the movement of the waves, this beautiful seal radiated calm strength and quiet resilience.

Captivated by her presence and sapphire-toned reflections in the water, our founder carefully observed and photographed her from a respectful distance. Those field observations and photographs became the reference and inspiration for what would soon become Sapphirine the Harbor Seal.

From Observation to Artwork

Back in the studio, Sapphirine’s story continued.

Using the original field photographs captured at La Jolla Cove, our founder and artist at Wildlife Jewels®:

Sketched Sapphirine’s form, posture, and expression
Layered in the colors and textures that reflected the ocean’s light and movement
Brought her to life on canvas as part of the Jewels of La Jolla™ Collection

The result is a piece that not only honors her beauty, but also echoes the real coastal habitat she calls home.

Wildlife Jewels Collections Sapphire the Harbor Seal behind the scenes- painting process- by Azi S./ © Wildlife Jewels

Jewels of La Jolla: Where Art Meets Conservation

Jewels of La Jolla™ is our conservation education arts program dedicated to celebrating and protecting La Jolla’s coastal wildlife—harbor seals, California sea lions, seabirds, and tidepool life.

Through this program, we:

Transform real coastal wildlife encounters into fine art
Share the stories of individual animals and the challenges they face
Inspire our community to protect these precious “jewels” of the coastline

Sapphirine the Harbor Seal joins a growing collection of artworks that highlight the wildlife neighbors we are so fortunate to observe along the La Jolla shore.

Powered by EYES™ La Jolla

Sapphirine’s story is rooted in EYES™ La Jolla—our coastal wildlife observation and stewardship initiative.

Through EYES™, we:

Monitor local wildlife from shore
Document observations through photography and field notes
Raise awareness about entanglements, disturbances, and other threats
Empower community members to report distressed wildlife and protect critical habitat

Sapphirine is a shining example of how one moment of mindful observation can become a powerful tool for storytelling, education, and conservation.

Stay Tuned for Sapphirine’s Collection

Sapphirine the Harbor Seal is just the beginning.

We’re developing a Sapphirine Collection within Jewels of La Jolla™, which may include:

Fine art prints and decor
Educational materials and exhibits
Special features in our coastal wildlife programs and events

✨ Stay tuned as we share more about Sapphirine’s collection and how your support helps protect La Jolla’s coastal wildlife.

How You Can Get Involved

If you feel inspired by Sapphirine’s story, here are a few simple ways to join us:

Follow our wildlife journeys on social media and share Sapphirine’s story
Join an EYES La Jolla coastal wildlife walks to meet our wildlife neighbors from shore
Support Wildlife Jewels® programs that protect coastal and marine life through art, science, and community engagement
Donate to support of EYES wildlife monitoring and Wildlife Jewels rescue program focused on protecting California’s Coastal Wildlife

Together, we can help ensure that harbor seals like Sapphirine—and all of La Jolla’s coastal jewels—continue to thrive for generations to come. 💙

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