Inspired by her diving adventures across the globe, Below and Beyond Art was established by Janavi Kramer a British mixed media artist based in Hertfordshire. Janavi utilises watercolour painting, inks and digital illustrations to articulate the magic of the Ocean; not only to evoke the same passion in others but to highlight the threats impacting the sea and all the species within it. Janavi is also a qualified Divemaster and began her diving journey in 2014. She has since been lucky enough to dive all over the world; including Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Iceland, Spain and the UK.

It was her love of diving that opened her eyes to all the wonders of the Ocean and the rapid impacts of threats such as overfishing and climate change. Her mission is to create work that helps others appreciate the natural world and support the invaluable work being done by countless charities and organisations.

What is a typical day like for you?

Almost every day you’ll find me buried in ocean-related books with paint on my hands! I am a full-time Artist and create pieces to articulate the wonders of the ocean.

What are the fondest memories from your upbringing that you feel impacted your life choices and lifestyle today?

As a child I spent much of my time on the rugged British coast, exploring every rock pool I could see and wading into the water to discover something new. I have been very fortunate to grow up in a creative family that has always encouraged me to follow my passions. Though I have worked in different industries, every path I took lead me back to the ocean. A couple of years ago I decided to dive in full time and dedicate my skills to marine conservation. Using my art as a vessel to spread awareness of the threats impacting our oceans but also the endless beauty within it.

When did you first pick up a camera and shooting underwater?

I have much to still learn about underwater photography but it is a skill I am excited to improve. Part of my process is to try and document the wonders beneath the waves so that I can use the images I capture not only to help document the oceans, but to use as references with personal meaning - which hopefully comes across in my art.

What/who currently inspires you?

It goes without saying that the Ocean itself is my biggest inspiration. Whether I am above or below it, the ocean fills me with awe and curiosity. I am greatly inspired by many of the marine charities and organisations that are fighting tirelessly and against the odds to protect our oceans. Part of my mission is to use the profits from my work to support charities and organisations doing this invaluable work by donating a percentage of my profits. I am incredibly lucky to already be a Partner with Shark Guardian and a Commercial Support of The Manta Trust, and hope to expand this list in the near future!

What path did you choose after leaving school?

My background is actually in Physical Theatre. After completing my Masters, I truly gained an understanding and appreciation of the power of visual storytelling; a universal language of which we all speak. This is something that I have carried with me into my career as an Artist now and holds great importance within my work.

What do you value most in life?

I believe the thing I value most in life is curiosity and discovery. The desire to want to explore and continue to learn is something that feeds my soul and something I hope to do for the rest of my life.

What would you most like to change in the world/environment today?

My mission as an artist is to spread awareness of the wonders of the ocean. However, sadly we are also living through a pivotal period where the natural world could be pushed past breaking point. With my art, I hope to highlight the issues impacting the environment and inspire people to take action. Whether that is changing consumption behaviours, reducing plastic use or even becoming an ocean advocate. At the very least, I want my work to start a conversation and encourage people to engage in the one thing we can’t live without - the Ocean.

Are there any books/documentaries that have guided your thinking?

It’s difficult to choose just one but a few to mention would be Blue Planet ( 1 & 2 ), Ben Fogle: Lives in the Wild and one of my favourite books which is The Island of Sea Women. The underlying theme that makes all of these resonate with me is the concept of living almost symbiotically with nature. Finding that harmony and understanding that one cannot survive without the other. By taking a closer look at our relationship with the natural world, I believe we can enhance our understanding and restore the balance as opposed to living blindly to the rapid destruction of what’s left of Mother Nature.

What brings you the most joy?

Diving into the ocean, no matter where I am in the world, fills my heart with joy. The moment I dive below, nothing else seems to matter and every breath feels like bliss. Being surrounded by the endless vibrancy and diversity of an almost alien world is what inspired my artistic journey and continues to do so!

What legacy do you hope to leave?

I hope that my mission to contribute towards the protection of our ocean has an impact. No matter how small, I want to make a difference. What I don’t want is for my art, in years long after I’m gone, to be considered as a documentation of the magical and mythical creatures that once lived amongst our oceans. I truly believe there is still the opportunity to make a change and even recover some of what has been lost.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to follow their dreams as an ocean Storyteller?

I would strongly urge anyone with that passion to push towards it. It’s not always an easy journey but there are many like-minded people within this community that will support you or even join forces with you. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers. On my journey, something that I have learnt is that if you are truly passionate about something, it becomes almost infectious to others around you! We are in a time where the power of storytelling has never been more crucial. By helping to give a voice to the ocean, we can make a difference and perhaps one day your journey to save the ocean will be a story for others to share!