IF YOU GET A LETTER from Buckingham Palace complimenting you on your art, know that you’ve created a “masterpiece”.
And though 26-year-old Douglas Blackburn’s humility invariably compels him to deny he has, a letter he received from the royal family could be taken as proof enough – notwithstanding the fact that it was signed by one of the Queen’s ladies-in-waiting.
The law graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill campus has a uniquely beautiful talent; he creates artwork using hundreds of different types of seashells.
It’s a costly venture but Doug, as he is often called, is having a shell of a time creating new pieces.
The Royal Westmoreland, St James resident said that from a boy he would collect shells whenever he could. But since he was not the “artsy type” he said he tucked them away for many years.
“In 2011 I was driving through St Lawrence Gap and I saw a fisherman with a bunch of king helmet shells along with some regular queen conchs and I remember being so struck by their beauty that I decided to have one right then and there,” he explained.
Doug, who’s also into the literary arts, said that one day he came across a local magazine that featured a shell gallery in Gibbs, St Peter, not far from his home.
That visit turned out to be paradise for him.
“I went there and saw all the beautiful pieces and I was just touched inside somehow,” he said with widened eyes. “I was just struck by all the beauty that surrounded me and I figured I just have to have more.”
Eventually, Doug said he purchased one shell after the other and that helped to build his collection over the years.
When his collection of shells reached an impressive volume, the Harrison College alumnus said he knew he wanted to do something much more inviting and elaborate with them.
“I just wanted to see if I could create some of the other beautiful things that I saw shell artists do,” he said.
Two of the shell artists he highlighted as great sources of inspiration were Maureen Edghill and Daphne Hunte.
Blackburn said that on many occasions Hunte, in particular, gave him tips, advice and great moral support.
But it was while volunteering at the Barbados Museum, he revealed, that his interest really peaked.
“I would spend time just looking at antiques of sailor’s valentines that they displayed and my interest just grew and grew because they were just mesmerising to look at,” Doug said. “They were beautiful in all their simplicity and colourfulness.”
The sailor’s valentines, he explained, were boxes used to hold jewellery and other trinkets that rose to popularity in the 1800s. They were often decorated with shells and given as gifts to the loved ones of the seamen after long voyages.
He continued to purchase many shells and started to produce piece after piece. Since 2013 he has laboured tirelessly on many sailor’s valentines and shell mirrors.
Now he is considering transforming his hobby into a business venture.
He recalled though that his life has been no stroll on the bear, noting that he fought many an uphill battle while he was a student at Cave Hill. He pointed fondly to the help he received from Professor Velma Newton.
But through it all shell art was a great outlet whenever he felt overwhelmed by stress.
He also praised his mother for being there for him through thick and thin.
“I wouldn’t be the man I am today without her reaching out constantly to help me,” he said.
And in a display of love and gratitude, one of the first sailor’s valentines he made was dedicated to his beloved mother.
Another of his early pieces featured Barbados since it was an island actually known for producing some special valentines.
“I wanted something that would re-emphasise that Barbadian origin. I wanted to do something unique that wasn’t done before. So I created a map of Barbados and I went from there.”
For those looking to make their mark in shell art, Doug had some advice: “Take your time. You will drive yourself crazy if you try to do everything in one go and end up tearing your hair out in frustration.”
He further suggested even though pieces some could take months to complete, if the artists remain focused on success they would make it to the end.
