How Jaws, a Flying Bucket of Popcorn, and a Whale Changed My Life

It all started in 1975, when a surprise floating head in Jaws sent my neighbor’s popcorn flying into the air like confetti. While everyone else screamed, I sat there fascinated — not afraid, but completely intrigued by the mysterious world beneath the waves.

Since then, the ocean has been my compass. I’ve spent 30 years on whale watch boats, searching for meaning, inspiration, and (one day!) a glimpse of a great white shark. Somewhere between Quint’s shack, the remains of the Orca on Martha’s Vineyard, and a whale swimming close enough to touch, I realized the ocean had been quietly shaping my art all along.

This is the story of how a movie, a whale, and a very determined 12-year-old girl led to Wear the Wave — my creative mission to celebrate the sea and support the incredible work of AWSC and NECWA.