We’ve covered a few animal artists, such as Pigcasso and Hunter the Shiba Inu, but this marks our first artist of the avian variety. Marley, like many successful artists, started from humble beginnings. He simply painted for the joy of it, with any profits from selling his pieces going to support his home and family. His home being Moody Gardens Aquarium in Texas.
Then last year, a TikTok by @megtubia16 of him went viral with over 110 million views, boosting Marley’s art onto the international stage!
@megtrubia16 #marley #rockhopperpenguin #moodygardensaquarium #penguinpainting ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
But even before the fame, you can clearly see his joy in the simple pleasure of expressing himself.
@megtrubia16 Marley the rockhopper penguin painting at Moody Gardens Aquarium part 2! #marley #rockhopperpenguin #moodygardensaquarium #penguinpainting ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
Now a superstar in the animal art world, some of his fellow penguins took inspiration and started to paint as well. Such as Boca seen below.
@a911chick Meet Boca he has a mind of his own and likes shiny things lmao. He is an amazing artist #moodygardensgalveston #funny #paintingpenguins #penguins #dispatchersoftiktok #moodygardens #moodygardensaquarium #ReadySetLift ♬ original sound – Laura Corley
Here’s Creole, a King Penguin, putting his claws to canvas.
@moody_gardens #stitch with @kairo.arte ♬ original sound – Moody Gardens
Note painting is part of their enrichment activities and they’re not forced to paint. And the paint is safe for them to use. Proceeds of the sales go to support both the aquarium and the penguins themselves.
If you’re a patron of the arts, make sure to check out Pigcasso, the pig that paints to support her farm sanctuary.