Description
My painting Valla Beach Seashells was inspired by a recent visit to Northern new South Wales.
Valla Beach is in the Nambucca Valley, on the mid north coast of New South Wales, 35 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour.
Valla Beach is well known for Dolphins and you will also see Humpback whales during their migrations north and south. It is also a great beach for surfing.
The beautiful beach is great for looking for shells and driftwood, and admiring the interesting rock pools and landforms, including a huge cave.
Valla Beach is popular with shell and driftwood collectors. The prized cowrie shells can be found washed up on the previous high tide.
My painting Valla Beach Seashells does not depict cowrie shells. However, I love their story.
Cowrie shells represent Goddess protection which is very powerful and connected with the strength of the ocean.
Cowrie shells are also worn as jewellery or otherwise used as ornaments or charms. They are viewed as symbols of womanhood, fertility, birth and wealth.
Shell money became the most commonly used means of payment of the trading nations of the Old World.