I have always been an artist; from photography to illustration, jewelry-making to painting, I have spent my life pursuing creative endeavors. When my daughter was young we spent days at the beach collecting shells, rocks and beach glass. We made shell collages, driftwood sculptures, and painted many, many clam shells, until one day I was struck by the need for a larger canvas, and voila! the horseshoe crab shell paintings were born.

Each hand painted horseshoe crab shell is an original piece of art. They are perfect for anyone who loves unique and inspiring artwork. Using water-based oil paints, I create designs influenced by the canvas of each individual shell and the seas in which the horseshoe crabs live. My inspirations come from many sources as delineated in the descriptions of the various series of paintings I've produced.

With the help of my wonderful husband & assistant, I prepare the shells for painting with a thorough cleansing process that removes any odors and detritus. We fit the shells with inner supports made of Fire Island driftwood to help stabilize the inherent fragility of the dried natural shell. A leather loop is affixed to the driftwood to provide a hanger for this unique objet d'art.

All the horseshoe crab shells I paint have been found washed up on the beach at Davis Park, Fire Island, their life force long gone from them. No horseshoe crabs have been harmed in the creation of these works of art!

In my jewelry I work primarily with beads, polished beach stones, beach glass and wire wrapping. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and lovingly created. All the beach glass I use is found on the shores of Fire Island and was naturally tumbled by the Atlantic Ocean. I also still spend my time doing fine art and travel photography.

My work has been exhibited at the Atlantic Gallery in Chelsea NYC, NYA Art Center in Tribeca NYC, and Art at Leeds Gallery in Leeds NY, as well as at several local art shows and online at fireislandartists.com and Metropolitan Report and Moods & Appetites. To see more of my art work please visit my website at www.dunetimearts.com