Artist Statement: Broken Conch Studies, Luminous Erosion
This series of watercolor renderings explores the lifecycle of the conch shell—not as a perfect specimen, but as an artifact of the ocean’s relentless energy.
My technical inquiry focuses on the perceptual rendering of these weathered forms, specifically documenting the intricate details of shells that have been broken and tumbled by the surf.
I purposefully depict the “imperfections” of these subjects, including the small stones and debris wedged into crevices, to ground the work in a realistic, observational tradition.
Geometric Progressions in Grays
While the foundation of each piece is rooted in realism, I intervene with deliberate watercolor drips and iridescent pigments to capture the grandeur and luminance of these shells when wet.
These fluid additions represent the constant pull of the tides—the rhythmic rivulets of water that drag sand and shell back into the depths to be worn smooth over time. By combining high-fidelity rendering with these expressive, light-catching media, I aim to create a bridge between the tangible artifact and the ethereal power of the water that shaped it.
Through this process, the work becomes a record of time and environmental erosion, mapping the transition from a living organism to a polished, light-filled remnant of the sea.The technical inquiry of this body of work centers on the tension between the organic and structure.