Meet the Muse: The Seahorse

Seahorses are delicate and mysterious creatures; with the general lack of thorough scientific knowledge around them only furthering Samantha’s interest in them, and their unique form allowing for infinite inspiration. In this blog, I wanted to explore more about their history and Samantha’s own reasons for dedicating so much of her artwork to the seahorse. 

'Guardian of the Reef' from Samantha's Premium Collection 

The Seahorse’s Mystifying History and Nature

As I have said, the seahorse is a mystifying creature, unbelievably delicate and almost other-worldly in appearance. They hold important recognition in many cultures, such as sharing its Latin name with the mythical ‘hippocampus’ sea-monsters, imagined in ancient Greek culture to pull Poseidon’s chariot across the sea!

However, even our scientific knowledge is far from complete, and there are many aspects of seahorses we still do not know. And what we do know only adds to their elusiveness, such as their unique courting dance, male pregnancy, and their famous practice of monogamy.

Unfortunately, as our curiosity deepens, many seahorse species are now endangered due to human activity. Primarily, this is down to boats destroying their vital seagrass habitat, and unregulated commercial fishing for food and even traditional Chinese medicine. 

Samantha’s ‘Serenade’ Premium Print, named in reference to the seahorse’s unique courtship dance.

The Southwest’s Spiny Seahorses

To bring ourselves closer to Samantha’s own coastal inspiration, I should highlight the long-snouted seahorse (AKA the spiny seahorse!) that finds its home on our southwest coast. These delicate creatures are usually yellow and green in colour, with their ‘spiny’ nickname referring to the ‘fleshy protuberances’ along their back, as the Dorset Wildlife Trust details. 

However, similarly to worldwide seahorse populations, they are also increasingly threatened by human activity destroying their vital seagrass habitat. This seagrass is so important for their survival as it is how they move themselves, holding onto and pushing against the seagrass with their tail. Luckily, organisations such as the Seahorse Trust in Devon are working to tackle this devastation of habitats and hoping to help conserve this magical and elusive species for generations to come.

'Spiny Seahorse' Fine Art Print

Samantha’s ‘Spiny Seahorse’ piece, available to purchase as a premium print on her website, illustrates this beautiful creature, emphasising its beauty and the importance that they and their habitats are preserved. 

Samantha’s inspiration

Samantha details what draws her so much to the seahorse: 

My connection with seahorses really began when I was living in the southwest. I was blown away to learn there are some near Exmouth, right where I used to live. From there, my fascination grew — I love how they pair for life, how they do a little dance in the mornings, and how they seem so exotic and fragile yet live right here in our waters.

That curiosity led me to discover more about their habitats. I’ve been inspired by the incredible work of the Ocean Conservation Trust and the National Marine Aquarium, particularly through their seagrass restoration projects like Blue Meadows. Knowing that these habitats — once decimated — are now being restored to give seahorses a chance to thrive again really struck a chord with me.

The more I looked into seahorses, the more enchanted I became: their sheer variety of shapes, colours, and sizes, and the fact that they’ve carried symbolic meaning across so many cultures throughout history. They are mystical creatures, almost otherworldly, yet tied so closely to our own coasts. That sense of mystery and energy behind them is what continues to inspire my work today.

Hand-Embellished Seahorse Print, A Limited Edition Collaboration between Samantha and Georgina Peters from earlier this year.

To conclude, Samantha’s fascination with seahorses stems from their mysterious and unique nature, as well as her passion for conserving their habitats.  You may explore Samantha’s range of premium prints, including her previously featured seahorse pieces, as well as those dedicated to their sea dragon siblings, both belonging to the wider Syngnathidae family.