My Kind, Wise, Heavenly Friend Large Wall Art Gallery Wrap

This piece is a commission I created for a beautiful couple in Utah. It was a bit of a struggle because I felt like I had already created my version of the Savior. But then we came up with another side of Him to portray. Our kind, wise, heavenly Friend. The approachable Christ.

When I was 17, I was chosen as a Sister City Ambassador to Himeji, Japan. It was so exciting. I had never been anywhere beyond the states that touched my own. I didn't know any Japanese. My host family didn't know any English. (My host brother actually did speak a little English - he told me they joined the program so he "can have American Girlfriend.") I found a way I could get away from him was to say I had to "study".

The only books I brought with me were my scriptures. So I studied a lot. Also, the only time I could speak English was when I was praying. So I prayed a lot. I had spent my life using prayers as a way to give God a list of all the things I needed. Maybe a few "thank yous" but mostly "please bless". In Japan, I told Him everything I was feeling. I told Him about the cool things I saw or learned. I had nothing but time dedicated to study and prayer. It was there that Jesus Christ became my friend. It was the closest I had ever felt to Him and I knew I would never be alone in my whole life if I could just remember to go to Him.

It's so amazing that the creator of everything and everyone wants to hear my soul's complaint. And my soul's joys! I have the attentive ear of the Supreme Being and once again I'm telling Him only my list of needs? And then not going to the scriptures to hear Him speak back to me? I can do better to rebuild that undeserved and unimaginable friendship.

Reproduced from the artist's original artwork of rocks, shells, wood, and other found items on board 44.5 x 44.5. Created 2024.

Our Float Frame is custom-made with a small gap between the frame and canvas to accentuate the edges of the artwork and give the illusion of a floating image within the frame.

Forty-three years ago, my parents named me Shel having no idea what obsession was in my future. I grew up loving all things ocean and married another thalassophile shortly after he returned from his mission in French Polynesia. We have five children - three daughters and two sons. I was an art major at Southern Utah University and used that knowledge to become a graphic designer to support my husband as he finished at BYU and went on to medical school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and further training in Saint Louis, Missouri where we decided to stay.

I have dabbled in all forms of art all my life from collage to sculpture to painting but only recently found my niche when I used my collection of seashells to create a portrait of one of my daughters in the fall of 2020. Since then, I have gone on three more shelling expeditions in Florida and Alabama to collect more supplies with which to work and have used those and more sent to me by friends, family and even strangers to create two more pieces. I’ve never been so passionate about anything before. Every part of the process makes me so happy. Finding the shells, sorting, cleaning and finally creating with them - I could do any part indefinitely and be thrilled with the opportunity. I have found my identity and the way I want to express myself, and I am grateful to be a Shel. 

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