Jas. (James) W. Atkinson
The Aesthetic Mollusc
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:
Lobster Alert
acrylic on gessoboard 5 x 7
This lobster represents a move to expand
the subject matter of my artistic endeavors
beyond molluscs. Check out my new page
of "Other" art
Done on commission -- Privately owned-
In an age when we can destroy our
environment, our survival may well
depend on the conservation of all parts
of the natural world. To do this we need
knowledge of that world and deep
respect for it. That respect grows out of
an aesthetic awareness of the beauty of
the world of living things. I try to capture
that beauty in those aspects of nature
that are too small, too fast, or too
unusual to have captured the popular
imagination. In viewing these images, I
hope you come to have a greater
respect for all the worlds creatures
