Art has made my life so beautiful in so many ways. I hope you enjoy these photos and that they bring a little beauty to your life today.
I've been an artist my entire life. I began making art seriously at about 5 when I made my first collage of a strawberry ice cream cone out of colored paper. It was a success.
Since then my art has primarily leaned towards the spiritual. Large shrines, small shrines and sculptures. The large shrines were like miniature renditions of Brunelleschi's altar at the Vatican. At 3' high and 40 lbs, they are just too large and labor intensive for me to do anymore. So my work has progressively gotten smaller and smaller.
Two madonnas : One in shells and the other in paper. Large pieces. So, so fun to make! Madonnas are, for me, about the sacredness of motherhood and the miracle of being a woman.
The back of her was completely covered with shells as well - so that the pink garland around her head continued. About 30" high - it weighed 22 lbs. This was purchased by a young man who came twice to look at it. (at that time I was selling in a beautiful shop that sadly doesn't exist anymore) On the second visit he took a deep breath and said "Yes, I want it." That was my happiest sale ever! He sent it to his mother - all the way to the East coast where I am happy to say it arrived safely, not a single shell damaged! - it was her Mother's Day present. It doesn't get any better than that!
This one I've shown before. I'm still pondering a way to exhibit my work. I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, but understanding shipping is like trying to read hieroglyphics...
She's 48"x24".... she has a presence!
And finally, here are a couple of small shell shrines that I've been doing recently - small is good too!
This one can have many purposes: remembrance of a friend - prayers for the sick - etc. It has a shell to hold items like the above one and the two opposing shells hold water for flowers. This one hangs.
This one is a bit large, about 14" high. There is a vacant space on the large scallop in the center so that something can be inserted: the picture of a loved one, a prayer or poem.
When I make art, the whole world disappears. I hope you have something in your life too that takes you to a place of peace and joy.
Love, Liv
