Shell Grotto Blue and Gold

Description

‘Shell Grotto Blue and Gold.’

Print description

A Golden shell grotto in a Prussian blue backdrop. Inspired by the book ‘The Seaside Nature Book’

Print details

I create this print from my original ink drawings to which I apply colour digitally. It is printed on fine art paper using archival inks. I issue the formats A0, A1 & A2  as limited editions of 100 where I individually sign and number each print.  The smaller formats A3 and A4 are form open edition signed prints.

The design of this print puts together assorted ideas and references.

Shell Grottos

In 2019 I visited ‘A la Ronde‘ National trust house. it has an exceptional shell grotto. A few months later my friend William completed his very own shell grotto. His house in the country became for a few days my artist retreat. In his wonderful library I found a book called ‘English Shell Grottoes‘ full of black and white photographs and descriptions of them. Last August I visited Vila Marlia just outside Pisa.

Brighton Coat of arms and mythological dolphins and martlets

Brighton and Hove Coat of arms among other symbols have six martlets and a pair of mythological dolphins. This creatures appear often in my prints

‘The Seaside Nature Book’ with illustrations by Eric Fitch Dalglish. 

Early in 2019 I found this wonderful book with designs by one of my favourite artists, Eric Fitch Dalglish.

I must admit I am also captivated by the name of the shells: auger-shells, egg cases of skate, the common scallop, periwinkles and limpets.

Related prints

This sea real and ideal creatures are also portrayed in my print ‘Brighton and Hove Alphabet’

The mythological dolphins are also the main subject of my print  ‘Dolphins of Brighton West Pier‘

Ever drifting down the stream
Lingering in the golden gleam
Life, what is it but a dream?