Recently I was contacted by Gregory Millslagle an artist in Virginia seeking permission to use one of Gay’s photos.

He described the photo that had inspired him and said, it would be “…a soft surrealistic piece, a box turtle is on a phone that has a picture of box turtles mating. It makes the viewer ask “what is going on here?”

I like art that inspires people to think. If you would like to see the work in progress I can send you a picture.”

Here is the photo he was asking about. It is titled “turtle glee”

Here is the watercolor that he made

He went on to say, “I see so many turtles behind my home and I always take pictures but catching them mating takes patience. I witnessed it once but I didn’t get a good shot and I didn’t want to bother them.

I have helped many turtles get off the road and twice I’ve taken them to rehabbing for injuries.  They’re just awesome animals!”

I think his watercolor is such a perfect take on the spirit of the photo. Gay Bumgarner raised and rescued many turtles and had a whole ecosystem for them to live in and to photograph. Here is a link to a gallery of some of her turtles:

https://gbi.photoshelter.com/gallery/Turtles-and-Other-Wonderful-Reptiles/G0000VqIJpUyIXiQ/C0000yrpt5Yfg8mIhttps://gbi.photoshelter.com/gallery/Turtles-and-Other-Wonderful-Reptiles/G0000VqIJpUyIXiQ/C0000yrpt5Yfg8mI

Meanwhile, if you are in VA go check out his show from July 23rd through September 15th, 2024 at the Cultural Art Center at Glen Allen, Richmond, VA

Or take a look at his website. https://gmillslagleart.com/https://gmillslagleart.com/

This sort of collaboration happens every so often. It is a pleasure to be asked.