PORTFOLIO - SHELL ART
Nautilus Shell
My latest Nautilus. I still find the shape and spiral inspiring and this one was particularly enjoyable to make. The shell is of pewter with gold leaf and abalone shell which is incredibly thin. The mount (front and sides) is copper.
Size: 42 x 30 x 4 cm
Close up of the Nautilus to show the design
Nautilus shell with full moon and sea fan coral
I have tried to capture the wonderfully spiralling shape of the nautilus shell. The shell is crafted from pewter with black patina, gold leaf and a very thin sheet of mother of pearl shell. The moon is gold leaf. The sea fan coral was found on a deserted beach in the Caribbean. The mount is brushed pewter and resin. The mount sides are covered with silver leaf.
Size: 30 x 30 cm (sides 30 mm)
Hanging in our home - Not for sale
Detail: Nautilus shell with mother of pearl
Nautilus shell with silver moon and sea fan coral
A second version of the nautilus shell. The shell is pewter with black patina and gold leaf, with white mother of pearl shell. The sea fan coral has golf leaf at its base and the “moon” is of silver leaf. The mount is brushed brass with resin. The mount sides are brass.
Size: 50 x 30 cm (sides: 30 mm)
Detail: Nautilus shell
Side view to show brass strip and signature panel
Oyster with Pearl and sea fan coral
The oyster is made from pewter and painted with acrylics and gold leaf around the edge. The centre is mother of pearl shell with abalone shell. The sea fan coral was found washed up on a beach and is covered with silver leaf and gold leaf. The mount is antiqued copper.
Size: 30 x 30 cm (sides: 30 mm)
SOLD
Detail: Oyster with mother of pearl and abalone shell
Side view showing mount side covered in silver leaf. Signature panel at the bottom.
Nautilus and Silver Moon 2
Nautilus shell (pewter with black patina, gold leaf, mother of pearl shell) and silver moon (silver leaf) with sea fan coral.
Mount: Brass
Size: 30 x 30 cm
Commission: SOLD
Oyster Shells and Clam shells
All these shells are from the West coast of Scotland where the seafood is magnificent. The shells are cleaned and decorated with either gold leaf, silver leaf or gold arcylic. Several thin coats of resin seals them and the underneath side is also painted with resin. These shells make wonderful holders of salt / pepper or jewellery or whatever you wish. Most of the oyster shells have their “lids” decorated in the same way.