detail from "open books"

open books (view #1) torn watercolors of shells re-assembled in journal book bindings to simulate opening shells, finding, selecting and sorting shells. each book is 5" x 8", folding out to 5" x 21".

19" x 29" watercolor study of shells 2006

Shell Game is an inquiry into the phenomenological nature of object. Using shells of commercially prospected shellfish (sea clams, conchs, mussels) I will collect, wash, stack, pile, look at,draw, paint, assemble shellness, deconstruct shells, shell collecting, valuing. I will examine and write about aspects of shell identity, decorative, commercial and industrial use of shells.... over an extended period of time... for the next semester (and maybe beyond??) as the externalized expression of the philosophic research I am conducting for graduate school.