Havilah Abrego Combines Marine Biology and Painting in Large-Scale Ocean Art

Havilah Abrego, an artist and marine biologist based in Honolulu, creates large acrylic paintings of marine mammals that blend scientific knowledge with artistic expression. Her work draws from personal scuba diving experiences and aims to foster appreciation for ocean conservation. Abrego, who is self-taught and began diving at age 12, was featured at The Other Art Fair Los Angeles in 2026. She often paints from memory or imagination to evoke a sense of wonder, using her family's art supplies, including brushes inherited from her grandfather. Her current focus includes humpback whales and other cetaceans, with plans to incorporate scientific data into future works.