Gifts from the Sea

“Gifts from the Sea” by Alton R. Lowe

A collection of objects, known as a still life, often arouses a curiosity from the onlooker. Why did the painter choose these particular objects? How do they relate to each other? What, if any, is their meaning? Are they simply interesting objects which have caught the painter’s eye?

In this painting, which I called “Gifts From the Sea”, the conch shell holds center stage. Years ago conch was so plentiful that it easily provided a full meal in the many ways it could be prepared. As any Bahamian knows, conch fritters are a favorite as well as conch salad, conch chowder, cracked conch, and scorched conch.

To one side of the shell is a double candlestick supported by a sea creature. On the other side is a seagull and in the foreground are cockle shells. I balanced these gifts from the sea with a lovely sea blue double vase, a gift from friends in Gatlinburg, TN when I left our summer gallery for art study in New York City.

Each of these objects have meaning for me. Sadly, they have all been lost in a recent hurricane. Still, their beauty remains captured in this painting. - Alton