The Bermuda Crabs - Acrylic painting of hermit crabs on canvas

"The Bermuda Crabs" | Acrylic, mica flake, garnet medium, and glass bead medium on canvas | 2019

Two hermit crabs in non-traditional shells convene on the pink sands of Bermuda. "The Bermuda Crabs" measures 10" W x 10" H; unframed, but wired to hang. This piece has a lot of sparkle and texture and would be great for lovers of nautical themes, crabs, and beaches. This was completed as an addendum to the Shiny Beautiful Things series after seeing some hermit crabs struggling to find suitable "homes." The prickly pears in the background were inspired by my own visits to Bermuda.

Shiny Beautiful Things – series background: I decided to explore why we classify certain animals as trashy and hold others in such high esteem, considering we develop buildings on their natural habitats and are responsible for the majority of the trash on this planet. In my research, I learned the critters we deem invasive, feral, and unwanted weren't always this way – it's a learned response due to our overconsumption. Additionally, it's likely they remind us of the qualities we don't like about ourselves. The series depicts our maligned filthy friends finding ways to survive and thrive amid their trashy existence.