Gifts from the Sea Artist Statement

I became fascinated by the beauty, symmetry, and perfection of shells, both inside and out.  The shells all have continuous patterns and rotations symmetrical and balanced.  I started photographing the shells to capture the unique patterns using the light box as my stage, and various lighting techniques to create the mood and story.  Each shell has the same ratio in their chambers, but their exterior presents different colors, patterns and shapes.  The shells have created a new avenue of exploration and growth for me as an artist. 

The nautilus shell is a living fossil unchanged in over 450 million years.  It symbolizes beauty, perfection, strength and the blueprint of the universe.  Its inner spiral chambers is the shape of the Golden Ratio spiral seen in other forms of nature such as hurricanes, the galaxy, seeds of a sunflower and pinecones.  All living things are linked by the Golden Ratio, interconnecting all of the parts of the greater whole.  As the nautilus grows, it moves to a larger chamber utilizing the smaller vacated chambers to create buoyancy, using air and water.

The nautilus shell reminds us to never stop growing and to keep expanding our minds to “larger chambers”, to ensure our spiritual and emotional growth.