Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

She Sweet Ay was commissioned by a client to serve as a timeless family heirloom. Originally from her grandmother’s home in Long Island, the shell has been transformed into a vibrant piece featuring some of our local fruit favorites: juicy mangoes, guineps, and sugar apples. A bold celebration of the beauty of nature on the islands.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Dancin’ Tulips features a dark green shell with dotted leaves to create movement . Bold tulips bloom in the foreground, framed by delicate white dotted halos. The soft pinkish peach lip carries monochromatic tulip designs, offering a gentle contrast. Though not native to the Bahamas, tulips originating in Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East symbolise spring, renewal, and new beginnings. The blend of brushstrokes and dots adds depth, rhythm, and energy, celebrating the elegance and optimism of the tulip.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Pink Androsia was created as a Bahamian-inspired gift from an old school friend to his boss. The design was inspired by the vibrant patterns of Androsia, the iconic hand-made batik fabric born on Andros Island in 1973. Founded by the Birch family shortly after Bahamian independence, Androsia set out to capture the natural beauty and bold spirit of the islands. Their mission was more than fabric, it was community, creativity, and cultural pride.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Two’lip Shell was created with a special space in mind, designed to sit within a beautiful bathroom. Its soft tones and organic form draw inspiration from the wallpaper’s vibrant colors and floral patterns, bringing harmony between the artwork and its surroundings.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

T & C Harmony was inspired by couple’s beautiful wedding invitations and thoughtfully personalized with meaningful details, including a pattern from the bride’s dress, their beloved dog, their wedding date and more. Commissioned as a gift for the groom and bride from his mother, this piece was created to celebrate their love story and serve as a lasting keepsake.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Tandem is now housed in the “V&M” (Vincent & Marina Gallery) on West Bay Street. The shell’s lip is adorned with two orchids, intertwined to symbolise unity and balance. Intricate dotted circular patterns spiral across the shell’s body, adding an elegant rhythm to the design. The orchids, known for their delicate beauty and intricate structure, represent love, strength, and resilience. Together, they embody the power of connection, with each dot reflecting the harmony and support found in unity. This piece is a testament to the strength that comes from togetherness in life’s intricate dance.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Flower Chair was inspired by the beaded chair in the black-and-white dining room at the “V&M” (Vincent and Marina Gallery) on West Bay Street. The artwork mimics a simple floral pattern of a beautiful hand-beaded chair from South Africa, capturing its elegance and intricate design.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Orchid is a small shell now residing at the “V&M” (Vincent and Marina Gallery) on West Bay Street. 

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Mini Mandala is an exceptionally small shell, now residing at the “V&M” (Vincent and Marina Gallery) on West Bay Street. The shell features a striking black background, which beautifully contrasts with the intricate off white dotted patterns that adorn its surface.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Spiral features a bold black background adorned with white dotted patterns that wrap around the shell’s lip and body. The lip showcases a wave-like or fire-inspired design, adding dynamic movement to the composition.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Floral Turquoise is a teal shell adorned with intricate mandala patterns and vibrant poinciana flowers. Native to Madagascar, poinciana flowers (Delonix regia) are known for their striking red-orange blossoms and symbolize beauty, pride, and resilience.

Though they are not native to the Bahamas, poincianas are one of my personal favorite flowers.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Cassiopeia was the first shell from my collection to be exhibited in a gallery. It made its debut on September 19, 2024, at The D’Aguilar Art Foundation as part of “Solaris”, a space-themed group exhibition.

Cassiopeia, the only five-point constellation, delves into the interconnectedness of the universe by merging celestial and oceanic elements. Both realms feature vast, uncharted expanses.

Sand dollars, which symbolise peace and tranquility in various cultures, remind us to embrace the calm in our lives. Their understated beauty encourages us to slow down, reconnect with our inner serenity, and find solace in simplicity. This symbolism aligns with my hand-painted dot technique, where each dot represents a star, underscoring the importance of taking time to create a harmonious whole.

More on the exhibition

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Crimson Lotus is a shell I found at one of my favorite shell spots on the island. In the beginning, I was always drawn to shells that were larger and more intact, but as I’ve grown in my practice, I’ve started to see the beauty in their imperfections. I almost left this one behind, but something about its shape and story made me look again. I’m glad I did.

Designed to be both functional and decorative, this piece can serve as a jewelry dish or catch tray. Although the lotus flower isn’t native to The Bahamas, I’ve always been drawn to its symbolism of resilience, strength, and beauty in imperfection. I’m especially fond of the orange varieties.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Ocean Mist holds a special place in my heart as the piece that started it all! I painted this shell as a young girl after finding it on the beach during days spent beach-combing with my mom. It was her idea to bring it to life, and I filled it with hearts, peace signs, swirls, dots, and words like "love" and "hope." After years outside, the colors faded, but in 2024, I decided to give it a makeover. Little did I know, this simple shell would spark my creative journey, one that continues to inspire me today. I’m so grateful for the memories behind it.

The title “Ocean Mist” is a play on words. While “mist” refers to the ocean spray that touched the shell where it was found, it also gently echoes the feeling of “missed” moments, precious times I once shared with my mom. As she now lives in Beijing, China, I cherish those memories even more. Though it’s no longer with me in the studio, this piece will always carry the essence of that time.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Lone Bloom features a conch shell set against a black background, its surface adorned with delicate off-white dotted patterns that create rhythm and texture across the form. Resting on the shell’s soft natural pink lip is a single black-dotted orchid, the “lone bloom” standing out as a quiet yet powerful focal point. The contrast between the bold black backdrop, the intricate dotting, and the shell’s gentle blush tones celebrates both strength and fragility, turning a familiar Bahamian icon into a piece that feels timeless.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Summer Sunset holds a special place in my heart as it was the first shell I ever painted in this medium, back in March 2024. In the studio one day, I rediscovered a small shell I’d held onto for years. Smooth, bright white, and free of imperfections, it had the quiet potential of a blank canvas.

I began by painting it black. At the time, I was drawn to bold, warm tones, so I gathered some of my favorite colors and allowed the colors to guide the rest of the afternoon. I hadn’t set out to create it for anyone, it was a little something just for me. But the response was incredible.
What started as a casual project turned into the beginning of a creative journey I hadn’t planned. This small shell was where it all began.

Acrylic paint on bleached conch shell

Blue Serenity captures the fragile elegance of a broken conch shell, with most of its form lost except for the spiral. The remaining spiral is thoughtfully adorned with a blend of blues, whites, and gold dots that follow the shell’s natural curves. Each dot appears to flow seamlessly along the contours, creating a sense of harmony and movement. This piece highlights the delicate balance between fragility and resilience, offering a sense of serenity as the pattern breathes new life into the remnants of the shell.