Art
I Live in Color
Similar to my photography, I value vibrant, eye-catching color in my artwork. Whether I’m painting turtle shells, canvases, woodburning or making dreamcatchers, adding detail in my work is a relaxing and therapeutic process for me. My strongest artistic influences come from my love of fantasy, bold color schemes, my connection to nature and my Native American roots.
About the Turtle Shells
My grandmother on my father's side was 100% Oneida. I am a quarter Oneida. While growing up, my dad occasionally told me bits and pieces about Oneida culture. The sacredness of the turtle came up multiple times. The turtle also represents one of Oneida Nation's three clans. Turtle people are responsible for the environment.
In the spring of 2021, I came across turtle shells for sale at a Wisconsin wildlife zoo when the idea to paint shells hit me. I’ve been creating art with turtle shells ever since. With every turtle shell sold, I donate $5 to the Turtle Survival Alliance, an organization dedicated to turtle conservation.
Turtle Shell
FAQs
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If you find yourself wondering how that idea came to me, you’re not alone. That’s the most asked question I receive. My dad is a commercial painter and wall-paper hanger, so I’ve been around paint and creativity my entire life. To me, painting is therapeutic; it’s calming. I remember joking with my husband that I will probably end up painting everything in our home that can be painted. When I came across turtle shells for sale at a Wisconsin wildlife refuge, I instantly knew I wanted to paint them.
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Growing up, my parents made it a point to educate me about my Native American roots. I remember making a longhouse with my dad for a school project in second grade along with a poster board filled with facts and photos of Iroquois culture. I can also fondly recall my dad telling me how his grandmother scolded him for trying turtle soup when he was younger. I liked this story because the young me (and if I’m being honest, even the me now) enjoyed the idea of my dad being put in his place by his grandmother, but I liked it even more because it instilled in me the belief that turtles are sacred. Our sacred connection to the turtle led me to make the decision to donate $5 from every turtle shell sale to the Turtle Survival Alliance, an organization dedicated to turtle conservation.
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After I got my first 3 shells from a wildlife refuge in Wisconsin, I started buying shells from sellers online. Initially, I tried to only purchase shells from turtles that died naturally. As time went on, I began buying shells from sellers who don’t specify where the shells have come from. I would like to believe the donations I make to the Turtle Survival Alliance help to combat the unnecessary harming and hunting of these special creatures.
I also take time to smudge each shell I come in contact with. I use sage and I say a blessing for the spirits that occupied the shells. It is important to me that their spirits find peace.
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Each shell has a small hole drilled into its base. The hole can fit a nail through its opening. I display the shells I keep on the walls of our home. I try to keep the shells out of direct sunlight so the paint stays vibrant for years to come. Some people choose to have their shells displayed in curio cabinets or on their desks.