The broken seashells I paint are used as operating metaphors for the aging process we all must endure, and the painful events that will inevitably come our way, should we be lucky enough to live a long life. However, as the beauty of our youth fades away, we can work on our inner life. We can become more self-aware and do our best to be a peaceful presence wherever we may be.  With intent and practice we can become more patient, compassionate and kind.

The deep goodness within us all is represented by the inner spiral of the univalve shell, which often remains intact even when the exterior of the shell is faded and badly broken. The beautiful shapes of the shadows within the broken shell are not possible when the shell is fully intact. Very often it is the shadows of our lives that bring us to the point when we find ourselves ready to look deeply at ourselves, at our own faults and foibles, and begin this process.