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Monday, October 20, 2008, 10:00
However, young sea lions Morgan and Aero have joined the ranks of artists who have had their work displayed in art galleries.
The pair's canvases may owe more stylistically to Jackson Pollack than Van Gogh or Monet, but it is hoped their therapeutic musings will help raise money for charity.
They have been taught to paint – using brushes in their mouths – by their handlers at Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park in North Devon.
Sea lion curator Nikki Morrison said the park hit on the idea as a way of keeping the animals mentally stimulated in captivity.
She said the pair, six-year-old Morgan and three-year-old Aero, "seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of it".
The art they produced varied with their mood: "The painting was one of the ideas we tried out to see if they would like it and the sea lions seem to get a lot of enjoyment out of it.
"Depending on their mood, it can get them really excited, in which case they don't always stick to the conventional method of paint to canvas but sometimes decide to paint the floors, walls or even me on the odd occasion!
"Other days, it can be very calming for them.
"If they seem a little stressed or having an off-day, as we all do sometimes, it seems to really relax them and help them focus."
The sea lions' work is to go on display at Ilfracombe's Landmark Theatre in the New Year.
The park has teamed up with local artist Robert Hill and some of the sea lions' work will appear alongside his work at his exhibition entitled Subtle.
Mr Hill said: "I have seen one or two pieces they have done. I am sure that in the sea lion world they are looked upon with awe."
Half of the proceeds from sea lion paintings that are sold will go to the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and the other half back to the artists themselves – to help to pay for their fish and enclosure maintenance.
Mr Hill is also donating 10 per cent from the sales of any of his work towards the Marine Conservation Society.
He will also be donating all the proceeds from a CD he and his friends have recorded, which will be on sale during the exhibition. The CD contains four original tracks and is entitled Beckham Docherty.
The exhibition takes place in Ilfracombe from January 12 to March 10, with a showing later in the year in Barnstaple.
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Morgan the sea lion gets to work painting another work of art, with a helping hand from trainer Nikki Morrison. Below: Even an artist must break for lunch sometimes
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