"BURIED TREASURE"
oil on panel, 6"x 8"
I have noticed that over the past year or so I keep returning to shells. I am not sure but it probably stems from the fact that I've been spending a lot more time on some of North Carolina's wilder more isolated beaches such as Cape Lookout, Shark Island, Ocracoke Island and Portsmouth Island, where it is extremely common to find the most wonderful shells. Though most people will never know where a particular shell in one of my paintings comes from, I know when I'm painting it. I think the memories associated with the discovery of these shells from deserted beaches gets into the work somehow because while I'm working on a piece in my studio I'm constantly feeling and reflecting upon the day I found that shell and that's got to work in the painting's favor. Shells are not the easiest of subjects to paint especially when they're done alla prima as most of mine are, but when the form begins to emerge, it is thrilling!