Millions of years ago, the Great Plains were covered by the Lost Sea. It was full of amazing creatures. Think sharks and sea turtles in Kansas. The Xyphactinus (above) was so fierce, it was known to swallow 6-foot members of its own kind.
Then the Lost Sea vanished, taking the creatures with it. Evidence of its existence is only left in fossils and bones.
Folk artist Charlie Frye brought the creatures back to life for the Lost Sea Expedition TV series. The artwork is stunning – part southern folk art, part nautical nightmare.
Charlie owns Frye Art Studio in Lenoir, North Carolina. Over a four month span, he painted over 35 original paintings for the Lost Sea Expedition series. I decided that after traveling across America in a wagon, we weren’t going to use digital clip art for the illustrations. So all the maps you’ll see are painted on boards. And Charlie’s painted creatures swim across acrylic seas.
We are currently raising funds to bring the Lost Sea Expedition to public television. Your donation pays locals artists like Charlie Frye. Please help this extraordinary artwork reach an even wider audience. Thanks.
