blossom until it was joined to the yet unknown lyrics.

I must admit I was getting frustrated. All my attempts to capture my color lyrics to complete my shells failed. Mechanically I colored my shells with acrylic paint, or rubbed the white clay over colored newspaper ads to add tint cheaply. Rolling the clay back and forth to make as perfect an elongated cone as possible to form the spiraled whorls.

But one day the magic happened! It was as if my hand took over and had a mind of it's own, and rolled the clay in one direction, over and over again - not back and forth. My eyes looked down, and consciously I finally caught on. Here was how to express the essence of coloration of natural seashells. The rest is history.

Annie Olson
January 2004




My Dear Sanibel 

50 years ago we met. Me, a young child of 7 and you, an Ancient Island of broken shells. It was love at first sight for me. As if I was newly born and you were the first form I saw as I left the womb. So I naturally imprinted upon you as a cygnet imprints upon the first moving object it sees after breaking forth from its shell.

Physically, my feet have not had the opportunity to spend but a drop of time walking your beach face, but the influence of your presence in my life has been central.

The totem animal of my life is The Snail.

In 1976 I bought my first box of polymer clay. During these 25 years my hands have sculpted many animals, but the life form I delight the most in bringing forth is my Beloved Snail.

You, Sanibel have been like a parent to me; silently nurturing me all these years. The 7 year old child in me hopes you like the shells Ive made for you.

(Text accompanying my exhibit for the 64th Sanibel Shell Show, March 2001)