Oysters

In the bright lights of climate change, oysters are first responders in an environmental cleanup, and oyster middens are important defenders of our coastlines. I also chose the oyster as subject matter for the pure pleasure I found in returning to gesso, charcoal and paint as appropriate mediums with which to draw out the textures and intricacies of oyster shells. To their primitive shapes, examined one by one or in groups, I bring references to oyster farming, Blue Willow pottery, and the jewel tones of Neruda’s Piedras del cielo. I made each of the paintings and drawings by first picking up one oyster shell and drawing its form somewhere on the sheet of paper. I then used mixed media including paint, pastel, and charcoal to build shape on shape and color over color, until the work was completed. There was never a preconceived idea of how the painting would look when finished. That was always determined by process.