About Shell
A graduate of the University of Alberta, Shell initially hoped to obtain a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and to work as a graphic designer. To that end, she took several courses in visual communication design, industrial design, photography, painting, drawing, and art history before a health challenge led her down a different path.
Determined to finish her education, Shell obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree instead, with additional courses in information technology, professional writing, public relations, and business.
Handmade cards
Without an outlet for her innate creativity, Shell felt adrift in an often unpredictable and frenetic world.
In 2007, while recovering from surgery, she discovered rubber stamping and cardmaking. Her early cards were simple designs stamped onto folded cardstock. Since then, she has developed her own personal style, employing metal dies, embossing folders, and advanced ink, resist, stencil, and folding techniques.
“I’m largely inspired by vintage design,” she says, “and, although I look to other cardmakers for inspiration, my cards take on a life of their own as I’m creating them. I love playing with texture, colour, shape, and pattern.”
Handcrafted shadowboxes
For Shell, shadowboxes are a logical outflow of cardmaking.
“I want to challenge myself beyond simple diecuts and flat works, creating layered pieces with a real sense of depth and dimension. My goal is to invite the viewer into the scene.”
Unique photographs
And photography?
“My first foray into photography started with a small Instamatic camera, given to me when I was a kid. I then got a simple Minolta point-and-shoot camera when I was around 14 or 15. Bear in mind this was when people still shot film.”
Although Shell received training in traditional darkroom techniques, shooting on black and white film, advances in technology mean that she now shoots on a mirrorless digital SLR camera.
Although she does photograph landscapes, including urban landscapes, as well as some steampunk and abstract subjects, her first love will always be flowers, insects, and animals.
“My dad was a scientist,” Shell explains. “He taught me to appreciate the living world and to appreciate the qualities and characteristics that make each organism unique or aesthetic.”
Enter macrophotography.
“My dad encouraged me to learn how things work. To look at them up close and to examine every minute detail with wonder, curiosity, and fascination. I want to challenge people to look at things they’d normally consider mundane or ordinary with renewed curiosity, even bewilderment or amazement.”
The world around us is beautiful, and life’s a beach!
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… because life's a beach
Can’t find a handmade card or shadowbox to your liking among on this website? Maybe you’ve seen something you like, felt inspired, and would like to tailor it to suit your needs.
Whatever the case, Shell will do everything possible to ask the right questions, determine your project requirements, and work with you to bring your idea to life.
Let’s start a conversation.