Do Dolphins Blush?

In the Gulf of Mexico, along the coast of Louisiana, a pink dolphin or two skim waves, bottlenosing into the depths again. One in particular is known as “Pinky.” Some scientists believe that she has a genetic mutation causing her pinkish hue. Other biologists think she may be an albino dolphin. She, however, is a delight to those who catch a glimpse of her.

Pinky lives in a pod of normal grayish colored bottlenose dolphins. Recently, she was seen with her own little pinky calf.

Artists love color. My dolphin projects are specifically chosen to highlight the need to protect these water mammals, especially those which garner public attention.

“Dolphins” Glass and Resin, Kelly Jadon, 2023

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program explains that as the waters of the Gulf of Mexico increase in temperature, it is not uncommon to notice in summer months, that dolphins will have a pinkish color, known as “blushing” on their underbelly. Beings mammals, they too get hot and need a way to release excess heat. Humans can sweat. Because the creatures live under water, they cannot perspire. Their excess heat is given off by sending it to the outer perimeter of their bodies where it comes into contact with the cooler water. This creates the “blush” on the bellies of dolphins.

Rose-hued dolphins can be seen off the coasts of Louisiana, Florida and Texas.

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(C) Kelly Jadon, 2024

Where it all begins...

Where do I get these strange ideas—breaking up glass to make something new? I really don’t know. I just look at a piece of glassware—a teacup, a vase, a plate—and I think, “Could I do something with this?”

One of my scrap boxes

“Will the color work for a seahorse, a dolphin, or waves?”

I recently completed this piece, “Pinky Too,” a second repurposed dolphin glass sculpture. The dolphins are dimensional mosaics made of tiny pieces. The waves are a recycled vase or two with crushed glass applied to the tips. The dolphins are positioned, as jumping out of a long conical vase that’s been turned on its side. Little circular glass pieces adorn the entire piece, as if they are water bubbles.

Beneath the glass bricks is the base—a former glass picture frame.

I take cutters and break the glass into the shapes I need. For Christmas, I received a special pair of gloves to protect my hands while completing this task. Who’d have thought there was such a thing? :)

At times, I need very tiny pieces of glass. My cuttings are saved for this very purpose. Some of it is so small, it looks like its sand.

(C) Kelly Jadon 2024

This Place

This place is where i came to

i remember

where God’s power roars

beating against rock strewn with holes

driven over by sea and salt

its taste touches my tongue

my lips

blurring ink upon paper

like tears and wet mascara

a distant ship edges over morning’s horizon

bahama bound

gently, winter’s waves gentle to calm

a hello peaks

the curve of rise and dive

rise and dive repeats, repeats

the quiet greeting

the hello each morn

dolphins near the shore

(C) Kelly Jadon 2023