Shellcrow
Transparent Watercolor
Private Collection
While collecting sea glass along the north beach in Cape May, New Jersey I happened upon this incredible collection of sun-bleached whelks that had been secured to the end of the weather torn fence with wire. The weather had been threatening all morning as a storm blew in from the bay. While marveling at this visual gift, a burst of sunlight lit up the shells against the menacing sky. Was this simply a collection of beach found items placed here by the locals or could the adornment of the tattered flag represent a memorial for a fallen soldier who loved the sea.
Eerily reminiscent of the scarecrows that decorate the country gardens of Pennsylvania I felt compelled to name this, “Shellcrow”.