Chiragra
"Chiragra" ~ Original art by Carmen Delprat.
Illustration on Paper. 54cm x 73cm, 2023.
Unframed.
Let me tell you about this one…
This illustration centres around the Chiragra Spider Conch — such a striking, unusual shell, isn’t it?
I was drawn to it not just for its beauty but for the story it seemed to carry. Each curl, each marking, feels like a whisper from the ocean.For me, this shell speaks of protection. Just like we all have parts of ourselves we keep safe, this shell reminds us that guarding our inner world is both necessary and sacred. Its spiral form reflects transformation — the way we grow, not in a straight line, but in curves and cycles, often returning to old places with new insight.It also represents intuition.
There's something deeply listening about it — like it’s encouraging us to slow down, tune in, and trust what we hear from within. That sense of inward journeying, of peeling back layers to discover what’s quietly waiting inside — that’s what this artwork is about.I wanted this portrait to feel both powerful and serene.
Shells are the ocean’s quiet jewels — resilient, elegant, mysterious. Their hard textures echo strength, while their delicate forms remind us of our own complexity: how we can be soft and strong, graceful and enduring, all at once.
The colours and lines in this piece were chosen to evoke a gentle sense of rejuvenation — a return to your centre, your clarity, your inner rhythm. It’s about celebrating the quiet strength that already lives within you.
Maybe this is your reminder: how beautiful it is to honour where you are and where you're going.