Miscellaneous Blogs
Deep Impressions Underwater Art
An interview with diver and artist Kim Vaudin by Jeff Goodman
‘We create underwater paintings to inspire and remind people of their own personal experiences by capturing the essence of the sea’.
Many years ago, I was taught to scuba dive, while at Plymouth College of Art & Design, by John Vaudin. Great times. Diving was all so new and exciting and all though my career I have never lost that excitement, that thrill of being underwater and interacting with the marine environment.
A short while ago I came across Deep Impressions Underwater Art and was delighted to find out that Kim was in fact John’s daughter and has the same passion for the underwater world. Kim and her mother Kay have been painting together for over 20 years and have a studio in Plymouth, Devon. I thought the artwork was superb and got in touch with Kim to ask her first of all how her dad was and hearing that he was fit and well moved on to ask about the underwater art.
Jeff: Hi Kim, delighted to meet you. I am guessing that your love and inspiration for diving came from your dad. How did it all start for you?
Kim: Hi Jeff, great to meet you too!
Growing up, our kitchen was often full of divers (as Dad was an instructor) and they’d sit around the table drinking my Mum’s home brew and revelling in their tales of wrecks, enormous lobsters and practical jokes on each other. And I so wanted to be a part of this mysterious and fun world, it sounded so exciting!
Every summer, us kids were always in the sea, swimming and snorkelling, we couldn’t keep out of the water. I think that I knew even back then, subconsciously, that being in the sea was the key to my long-term happiness and well-being.
Jeff: Can you remember your first dive and the moment you decided that underwater art was going to be your future?
Kim: My family spent every summer in Guernsey and when I was 14 my Dad encouraged me to try a small dive off the harbour wall with him. It was absolutely nerve-wracking but at the same time utterly amazing! And a few years later, I travelled around Australia, and I was determined to dive on the Great Barrier Reef. This was my first dive on a coral reef and it blew me away. I clearly remember it as if it was yesterday, I was on a high for days. I only hope that my nieces and nephews get to experience the same thing when they’re older.
It wasn’t until years later and after I’d gone back to Art college, that the penny dropped, and I knew that I wanted to combine my creativity with my love of being in the sea.
The most rewarding part of painting is that my art seems to strike a chord with other people, as it seems to remind them of their own experiences and what the sea means to them.
Jeff: I read on your Facebook page –
‘The thrill of diving is not knowing what you might see. Every dive is different, even if you dive the same site a hundred times. There’s always the hope that this will be the best dive ever! The one you don’t wanna miss and this keeps us going back in, time after time’.
I feel exactly the same. Do you have a favourite site where you get most of your ideas from?
Kim: There are so many dives all around the world that really stick out in my mind and so many times when I’ve thought, I must try and paint that! It could be a rock formation, a particular sea creature or just the way the sun hits the reef and the colours explode.
But I have several favourite local sites where we always find something interesting and if we’re really lucky and all the good conditions come together, you know it’s going to be a memorable day.
Jeff: I see from your website that you take a photo first and I assume draw and paint from those images. Are the photos exact blueprints for your paintings or are they just inspirational guides?
Kim: I take a lot of photos underwater, but I’m not very good at it. But it doesn’t matter to me as they are just a reference to use as part of a bigger picture or backdrop. They are a great way to remind you of a dive and that does trigger my inspiration to paint.
Jeff: Do you have any favourite animals you like to paint?
Kim: I really love to paint mantas and cuttlefish, probably because they’re my favourite creatures to see underwater.
Jeff: Have you ever tried sketching while underwater?
Kim: No, I’m normally focused on my camera and the dive. I don’t think my buddy would be patient enough to wait for me if I got out a sketchpad as well!
Jeff: I find it almost impossible to dive without my camera. Are you the same or are you happy at times to just look and enjoy the experience?
Kim: I hate being without my camera! We always see the most amazing stuff when I haven’t taken it in. We were on the Mewstone Ledges last summer and we came across a really big common octopus and I’d forgotten to put my SIM card in my camera. I was beside myself and had to frantically delete the ten internal memory shots to free up some space, but luckily he stayed long enough and I managed to get some decent photos. Mum did a beautiful painting of him too.
Jeff: Do you do commissions?
Kim: Yes we do. Usually our customers will give us their favourite photos and we’ll build a painting around their ideas and sometimes they even want to be in the picture.
Jeff: I was scrolling through your pictures on your web site and was awed by the amount of work you have done. Is there an average amount of pictures you get done a year?
Kim: Since we’ve moved into our studio (a couple of years ago) the amount of artwork we’ve created has really increased. I guess we paint around 20-30 artworks a year between us, depending on the size and amount of detail we include.
Jeff: When photographing potential subjects do you use artificial light or prefer to stay with natural lighting?
Kim: I use a strobe as it gives your subject far more colour in the close-up shots, especially at depth. But in very low light I will turn it off sometimes for a more atmospheric shot.
Jeff: Are there occasions when you do a painting without the influence of a photo. Something totally made up and inspirational.
Kim: We’ve both been developing our styles recently and we’ve been exploring different art techniques and ideas. So our work is changing in that it’s become far more abstract and loose. Our paintings still have the ocean theme but it’s not so important to get every little detail absolutely right any more. I love this new freedom, it’s much more exciting and fun. You never know exactly how a painting will turn out, very much like diving really.
Jeff: Thanks Kim and good diving.
Kim Vaudin is one half of a mother and daughter team who have been painting together for over 20 years. As snorkellers and divers (and coming from a diving family), they love to be in the ocean seeking inspiration for their art and taking photographs to use as reference.
Their artwork is designed to reflect peoples passion for the sea and to enjoy their own connection to it, while at home.
To find out more about Deep Impressions visit their website by clicking here.
If you ever wondered what’s the exciting buzz around the RAID Diver Agency, we can tell you right here!
The prestigious Royal Thai Marine Police have chosen RAID as their trusted agency for their Underwater Operations Course.
This intense and rigorous course is designed to equip the force with the specialized skills and expertise needed for all underwater operations, ensuring they are totally prepared for the challenges of their critical missions.
With RAID‘s comprehensive training, the Royal Thai Marine Police will be well-prepared to handle the demands of their underwater tasks.
Why RAID? Truly Different?
The RAID philosophy is we are divers, not Recreational or Technical, just divers.
We all start with our first breath underwater with limited knowledge and experience. How much theoretical knowledge individuals may want is a personal choice.
However, when it comes to practical experience, there should be no difference to the required skill foundation and learning the fundamentals of diving is crucial.
With the roots of RAID International being founded in a technical background, the ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy, hover & trim which provide a robust platform for any future training in whatever direction they decides interests them.
How do RAID do that?
RAID conduct all dive skill training how you would use it practically. Perfect buoyancy with good hover and trim position.
Other agencies teach you to sit on the bottom and do skills! Do you go to the bottom every time you want to clear your mask?
Dive training in a class of its own.
RAID FREe-Learning.
No smoke and mirrors with RAID, there is nothing to hide.
Everyone can access any and all of RAID course theory and skills manuals online and downloadable without any charge or commitment.
Truly FREe-Learning
You bet that wasn’t popular with the book selling agencies!
If that wasn’t enough, additionally, all the skills videos, are available on YouTube with FREE access.
The core of RAID‘s ethos is to provide all divers with solid fundamental skills of diving buoyancy with perfect hover & trim providing a robust platform for any future training.
To enable that, RAID Professionals must have skills honed to the highest level, always performed with consummate ease and completely naturally.
To access the whole FREe-Learning library completely without any commitment or cost, simply register with RAID by scanning the QR code.
No one will contact you, you are free to download and peruse whatever you want to.
Should you decide you would like to know more or would like to take a course contact James at RAID UK and he will direct you to your local RAID centre.
RAID UK
James Rogers
www.diveraiduk.com
info@diveraiduk.com
+44 191 4324644
RAID – A Global Agency
RAID has Regional Offices around the world all fully embedded in the governing bodies of diver training.
WRSTC Member USA, ERSTC Member EU, Worldwide ISO Certified, RTC founding member.
RAID Dive Centres are in all corners of the UK!
All ready to offer divers and beginners a friendly welcoming new standard of service. Whether you are ready to take your first breath or an experienced exploration diver, make visiting a RAID Dive Centre your next step.
Here are just a few suggestions.
Bay Divers
Swansea
www.baydivers.co.uk
+44-7859-018970
West Coast Diving
Kilmarnock
www.westcoastdiving.co.uk
+44-7904-539512
SevernTec Diving
Dive South
RAID – Holiday Destinations
Looking to take a dive trip with your club or personally, here are just a few popular RAID dive holiday destination ideas for the UK based diver.
Egypt
Maldives
Bali
Thailand
South Africa
Click to contact the Regional Office for a full list of dive destinations in that region.
EGYPT
Pharaoh Dive Club
Roots Red Sea, El Quseir, Egypt
info@pharaohdiveclub.com
www.pharaohdiveclub.com
+20 10068 22000
Multi award winning centre offering special ‘Dive & Stay’ packages
Scuba Dreamer Diving College
Park Regency, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
www.scubadreamer.it
info@scubadreamer.it
+20 122 7150550
Based at Park Regency & Beach Promenade providing a full 5* package
MALDIVES
Fehivina Dhangethi &
Dhodhi – Dhiffushi – North Male’ Atoll
www.scubadivinemaldives.com
scubadivinedhangethi@gmail.com
scubadivinedhiffushi@gmail.com
+96 07913075
Range of accommodation options available
Jerrys Dive Club
Rasdhoo, Maldives
www.jerrysdiveclub.com
hello@jerrysdiveclub.com
+960 772 7876
Stay at Jerry’s Guest House
BALI
Prana Dive
Kabupaten Karaangasem, Bali, Indonesia
www.pranadive.com
info@pranadive.com
+62 813 3877 5345
Why not stay with us at Teratai Boutique Resort
THAILAND
SOUTH AFRICA
Adventure Mania
Sodwana Bay, South Africa
www.adventuremania.co.za
info@adventuremania.co.za
+27 82 653 7824
Adventure Mania takes pride in providing personalised, eco-conscious dives that highlight the beauty of protected coral reefs and marine life. This family diving business, nestled within a Marine Protected Area, offers a diving experience that is as educational as it is exhilarating.
Adventure Mania’s expert instructors and staff have a deep-rooted passion for ocean conservation. They not only guide divers through breathtaking underwater landscapes but emphasise the importance of marine preservation. Teaching diving with Adventure Mania goes beyond imparting technical skills; it embraces fostering a respect for the ocean.
ScubaCo
Durban, South Africa
www.scubaco.co.za
info@scubaco.co.za
+27 79 779 4242
ScubaCo is a boutique RAID Dive Centre operating on the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline of South Africa. ScubaCo are specialists in both shark and reef diving as well as featuring the annual Sardine Run migration as they are so well positioned to offer the best of the best.
Many clients enjoy our wonderful packages with ScubaCo Guest House accommodation coupled to amazing dive options – Shark Diving, Big 5 Safari & Diving the Sardine Run.
This destination is a must for every Diver and should be on your bucket list for dive travel.
Make sure to add Aliwal Shoal to your next Diving holiday and let Tamara and her team take fantastic care of you while in South Africa.
Dive & Travel the RAID way
When you see the RAID emblem at a dive centre around the world you can be assured that the highest standards of diver training are being provided, knowing all RAID professionals have met the testing criteria to achieve their professional rank.
Gemma and Ian chat to Dawn Kernagis. Dawn joined DEEP in 2023 as the Director of Scientific Research. DEEP is an ocean technology and exploration company with a mission to ‘Make Humans Aquatic.’ DEEP’s undersea habitat and submersible systems, combined with multi-phased diver and human performance training, will create the next evolution of subsea science, research, and exploration capabilities. Dawn is a NASA-trained NEEMO Aquanaut, Explorer’s Club Fellow and Women Divers Hall of Fame Inductee and who is also tasked to establish DEEP’s first US presence in North Carolina. Dawn has also been a diver with numerous underwater exploration, research, and conservation projects since 1993, including the mapping and record-setting exploration of some of the deepest underwater caves in the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-kernagis-995383152/
The BiG Scuba Podcast is brought to you by Narked at 90. “Beyond Technical” Narked at 90 If you are thinking of moving across to tech diving or completely new to diving, Narked at 90 can advise and guide on the best equipment and set up for your personal or commercial requirements https://www.narkedat90.com/. There is currently a code for you to use for purchases and the code is BIGSCUBA2024.
If you are interested in the INSTA360 action camera we discussed then please click this link: https://www.insta360.com/sal/x3?utm_term=INRAI8S
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