THE MAGNIFICENT CONCH

                                  6" x 6" Oil on Canvas

Day Twenty-Seven, 30 in 30 Challenge

The Conch Republic (República de la Concha) is a micro-nation declared as a tongue-in-cheek secession of the city of Key West, Florida, from the United States on April 23, 1982. It has been maintained as a tourism booster for the city since.   Now the term "Conch Republic" has been expanded to refer to "all of the Florida Keys.  Key West is the nation's capital and all territories north of Key West are referred to as 'The Northern Territories'."

If you are not familiar with the history as to how the Conch Republic came to be, please take time to look into it.  The republic celebrates its own independence day and maintains its own army, navy and air force.  Check it out!  Will put a smile on your face.

One of my first workshop instructors told me when I could paint a conch shell, I would be ready to do a portrait since the colors and tones in this magnificent shell are the same as those  found in Caucasian skin.  So,  to paint this shell, Gamblin's Caucasian Flesh color was used as were the John Howard Sanden Series II Flesh Colors.  Sure made it go faster as a one day project!