A Natural Reaction at the Chance to Sea and Be Seen

It was an artist’s reception in which no one wore the obligatory black-out leather look. Instead, environmentalists who met with Wyland--the marine-life painter known for his life-size “Whaling Walls”--were dressed casually in natural fabrics that reflected the colors of the ocean scenes on canvas at the Dana Point Resort last Sunday afternoon.

No leather, eel or other animal products, please. It wouldn’t be appropriate to wear such things to an event that benefits the Wyland Foundation, which aims to protect ocean resources through public art and education.

Most of the 500 visitors wore cotton shorts, earth-tone linen pants or well-worn jeans. Top-Siders and sandals were privy to the fete that honored the artist who painted his first whale mural in Laguna Beach in 1981 and has since created more than 50 others worldwide.

The artist, donned in denim, signed his name on T-shirts imprinted with his work. In keeping with the save-the-planet theme, the tees were made from recycled milk cartons.

Wyland’s work is on display at the resort’s Lantern Bay Lounge through Sunday.