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Sailor's Valentines by
Jane Santini
While recovering from Lyme Disease, Jane was drawn to a photograph of a Sailor Valentine in a book and thought she would try her hand at creating one. Jane's father, Robert, had been a lifelong sailor who worked himself up from Able Bodied Seaman to Captain in the Merchant Marine. This fueled her fascination as he often returned home from Australia or Japan with shells as souvenirs. Jane continues to respect and be amazed by the creatures that form her art, many of the shells are self collected from trips to Fiji, Zanzibar, Sanibel and Cape Cod. "I never stop learning and rejoicing in the intricacy and magic of the 'simple' mollusk. And as its been said 'what we come to know, we respect. What we respect, we love and protect. 'I always try to collect responsibly. I hope my art inspires everyone who see it to look on the sea creatures with a new eye". Janes work in done with undyed shells and corals. Other hallmarks of her work are the use of sea urchin spines and the use of shells as dividers rather than paper or cording. Awards include Blue Ribbons at the New York State Fair, Dutchess County, Nassau and Suffolk County, Sanibel, Marco Island, Cape May, New Jersey Broward County, Mid North Carolina Shell Shows. Her accolades include Best of the Blues, People's Choice Awards, Beds Hand Craft, Best Shell Craft Broward Trophies, Trophy Best Shell craft Astronaut Trail, Elsie Snider Memorial Trophies, Best Arts & Crafts, North Carolina, Best Shell Craft Treasure Coast, Best Single Valentine Professional Sanibel. Her very first exhibit, Forever, a 12" double won first place, Bet Hobbyist and Best 1st time Exhibitor in Sanibel.
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Jane Santini, an award winning folk artist, is also a mother of four grown children, codirector of Northern Dutchess Botanical Gardens in Rhinebeck, NY and a very grateful breast cancer survivor.