The sea and painting are Amit Friedman 's two great loves,   10 years old from Tel Aviv. He set off on his first research cruise when he was only ten months old, when he was carried by his mother, one of the founders of the Delphis Association.
 Nature in general, and the sea in particular, are like air to him - an escape from the hustle and bustle of the busy street, from the challenges of everyday life. Amit began drawing and creating from the first moment he learned to hold a pencil. The constant shouts of admiration he received from those around him encouraged him to continue creating and developing his talent. Only recently was Amit's painting chosen to represent Israel in the annual Toyota painting competition, and even made it to the finals of the competition.
 Already at the age of five, Amit demonstrated amazing abilities in drawing and engineering - and was very interested in assembly, sculpture and creative activities. At the top of the list of artists from whom Amit draws inspiration is Leonardo da Vinci. Like Da Vinci, Amit also devotes a lot of time to researching the subject of his work - and in a laborious process of trial and error, he encompasses the subject from all angles and using all possible materials at his disposal.

 He painted this painting, from 2023, immediately upon his return from a vacation in Eilat, where he was particularly impressed by the manta ray he encountered at the underwater observatory.
 The manta ray is a spectacular cartilaginous fish from the betta family, considered one of the most mysterious and impressive creatures in the sea. These giant winged creatures can reach a "wingspan" of up to seven meters, yet they are delicate and feed mainly on tiny plankton.
 Around the world, manta rays are considered a symbol of freedom and flowing movement, and they are known for their impressive leaps above the water. In Israel, manta rays are occasionally seen, mainly in Eilat and the Gulf, and rarely along the Mediterranean coast - a reminder that our sea is connected to vast and vital ecosystems.
 Preserving manta rays and their marine habitats is an integral part of the fight for a rich and healthy biodiversity in the Mediterranean and Red Seas, for future generations.

 Amit decided to dedicate the work as part of the " Artists for Marine Mammals" project, with the aim of ensuring the continued activity of the Delphis Association for the preservation and protection of marine mammals in Israel, and for educating the next generation to love the sea.