Skip to Content
Art

Interview With Turtle Wayne

12:00 PM PDT on October 16, 2015

Turtle Wayne draws turtles. More than 80,000 people have subscribed to his Instagram to get the latest turtle drawing, and now you can own your own turtle drawing by Turtle Wayne, because he's having an art show this weekend at Rolnik Gallery. The show opens Saturday the 17th at 7pm, and will offer original art, stickers, sketch books, shirts, and more.

We wanted to find out more about the man behind the turtle, or the turtle behind the man, so exchanged the following interview with Turtle Wayne while he drove from his home in the Bay Area to Los Angeles...

You're on the beach, walking along in the sand when you look down and see a turtle. It's crawling toward you. You reach down and flip the turtle over on its back. The turtle lays on its back, its belly baking in the hot sun, beating its legs trying to turn itself over. But it can't. Not with out your help. But you're not helping. Why aren't you helping?
I'm not helping because my body has been possessed by a spirit that hates turtles. Turtle Haters going to hate.

IMG_0713

Are you more of an artist/turtle or a turtle/artist?
I am more of a turtle/artist because I go by Turtle Wayne (

Do you have a favorite piece of art of all time (not your own)?
My favorite piece of art is Dave Choe's signature and little munko whale drawing on a Turtle Wayne sharpie. (Not sure if that counts as not being my own, but it's definitely my favorite art piece I have right now)

IMG_0715

What's a typical day in the life of Turtle Wayne like?
I do the typical human hygiene stuff and then draw a lot. I'm either drawing for various companies, restaurants, and clients or turtles for my Instagram (@turtlewayne). I also try to run for at least 30min a day because once I stopped growing and started aging...my belly gets big if I don't exercise.

What do you love or hate about Los Angeles?
I don't love or hate anything about Los Angeles...yet.

tumblr_nur4tiabDQ1qg15rjo1_1280

Complete this sentence: "We're living in the golden age of ______________."
We're living in the golden age of selfies.

IMG_0714

Do you have a lucky number?
Yes.

What kind of work will you be showing at your latest show at Rolnik Gallery?
Originals, Prints, Sticker Packs, Shirts and Sketch Books will be available!

IMG_0716

What's your favorite place to get a taco?
There's a tacqueria near my house that has tacos for only a buck!

What is your motto?
I draw turtles.

turtlewayne

The Daniel Rolnik Gallery is located at 1431 Ocean Ave #1800, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

The Westside’s Most Thrilling New Modern Mexican Restaurant Is . . . Rustic Canyon!?

The 19-year-old Santa Monica farm-to-table legend is surprisingly now serving a vermilion fish taco, oyster mushrooms al pastor, and pork chops spread with beans and salsa mojcajete.

September 11, 2026

The 19 Best Carne Asada Tacos in L.A.

You could argue that asada is the official taco of Los Angeles. Exhibit A: These mouthwatering 19 tacos, ranked.

September 10, 2026

ICE WATCH Newsletter: Over 170,000 Salvadorans With T.P.S. Protections Are Safe, For Now

Questions and anxiety, however, still remain for these people and their families. Every option ahead of them now is their worst nightmare come to life.

September 10, 2026

Seven L.A. Tattoo Artists Supporting Palestine Through Ink and Flash Sheets

While not everyone can donate funds, these tattoo artists prove that you can donate time, skills, and hope.

September 9, 2026

ICE Watch Newsletter: ICE’s Demolition Derby

ICE’s recklessness, aggression, and use of vehicles as assault weapons is nothing new. Recently, it went into overdrive.

September 8, 2026

A Kinky Afternoon with L.A.’s Legendary 72-Year-Old Dominatrix

Mistress Cyan’s dungeon sits in an industrial pocket in South L.A., and her clients range from local cops to couples who swear BDSM saved their marriage.

September 8, 2026