Florida Keys

Massive dolphin mural emerges at Tavernier Creek Marina

Keys InfoNet

In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, artist David Dunleavy, puts finishing touches on a huge mural entitled "Dolphin Rodeo" at an Islamorada, Fla., marina. The 252-foot-wide by 33-foot-high artwork features two dolphin, also known as mahi-mahi, that are popular ocean gamefish caught off the Florida Keys and other regions of the world. It took the New Jersey artist a month to paint his 62nd larger-than-life SeaLife Mural.
In this photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, artist David Dunleavy, puts finishing touches on a huge mural entitled "Dolphin Rodeo" at an Islamorada, Fla., marina. The 252-foot-wide by 33-foot-high artwork features two dolphin, also known as mahi-mahi, that are popular ocean gamefish caught off the Florida Keys and other regions of the world. It took the New Jersey artist a month to paint his 62nd larger-than-life SeaLife Mural. Andy Newman AP

Marine-life artist David Dunleavy is putting the finishing touches on a gargantuan "Dolphin Rodeo" mural that he painted on the sides of two boat barns at the Tavernier Creek Marina.

Dunleavy's large-scale creation, featuring two huge dolphin fish leaping to feed on flying fish, stretches 252 feet long and 32 feet high. The New Jersey-based artist says they are the largest dolphin fish, also known as mahi-mahi, ever painted in the world.

Not to be confused with dolphin the mammal, dolphin fish are a popular game fish in the Florida Keys.

Dunleavy worked seven to eight hours per day for 23 days to create the bold illustration. It is the 62nd in a series of sea-life murals he has painted and the fourth such in the Keys.

"The wall has excellent exposure and can't be missed driving south on the Keys' Overseas Highway," Dunleavy said Friday. "As a an avid fisherman and diver, I take all the inspiration and beauty from fishing and diving experiences and paint them in a very large way for people to enjoy."

The mural is scheduled to be dedicated during the Nick Sheahan Dolphin Rodeo Tournament set for May 4-6, 2016, at the Tavernier Creek Marina, mile marker 90.8. Sherwin Williams donated the paint and Sunbelt Rentals provided the hydraulic lift Dunleavy used to complete the mural.

Marine-life murals are common in the Keys. Two of the largest: Artist Wyland painted a huge one on a building at mile marker 100 and he and fellow marine-life artist Guy Harvey created the one on the wall of the Marathon Kmart.

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