(Orca/Killer Whale) by Tacoma artist Ricky Loves Painting celebrates J2, nicknamed “Granny”, a cherished matriarch of the Southern Resident orca population in the Pacific Northwest. Granny was an icon believed to have lived for over a century. She played a crucial role in her pod’s social structure, symbolizing the adaptability and intelligence of her endangered species.
Inspired by a sunrise photo by Scott Sherman, the mural captures Granny breaching out of the Salish Sea with Commencement Bay, Mount Rainier, and the lands of the Puyallup Tribe in the background.
Granny’s image reflects the deep connection between the orcas and the Indigenous lands and waters they call home, highlighting the ecosystems that the Puyallup Tribe have stewarded for generations. Her graceful form set against the vibrant sunrise honors both the beauty of this region and the resilience of its diverse inhabitants.
Through this mural, Ricky Loves Painting and Scott Sherman invite visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting the Salish Sea and the northern resident orcas, as well as the cultural and environmental heritage of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe.