The Aesthetic Mollusc  
Jas. Atkinson, Artist

The Aesthetic Mollusc

I became fascinated with snails while in
graduate school and years as a professor of
zoology have increased this fascination for all
molluscs.  They are too often neglected for
their value to our understanding of the natural
world and their aesthetic qualities are not fully
appreciated.  Although the beauty of shells
has long been a subject of artistic
representation, the living animal has color,
form, and personality worthy of an artists
efforts as well.  I try to capture this beauty of
form, color and personality with a combination
of the traditional stippling of scientific
illustration and the dynamics of painting with
acrylics.
I hope you enjoy these creatures as much as
I do.

My most recent:

  The Singing Snails
    acrylic on gessoboard     6 x 6

  Basis for 2007 Christmas card.

Outside: "On the Twelfth Month of
Christmas My True Love Sent to Me ..."

Inside:  "Celebrate the Holidays at a
Snail's Pace and Make the Spirit Last
Much Longer"

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