b'THE ART OF DOGShe Sells Seashellsby Anna CookeShelling began as a hobby for Michele McKibbon, three years ago. She has been shelling just about every day, since. Iwantedtotakemykidsshellingandmake Christmas ornaments, Michele said. That turned out to be a disasterthe crafting of Christmas ornaments, that is. The kids were only one and two years-old! A stay-at-home mom, she continued shelling as a means to relax.All of her creations are made with shells that she forages her-self.Pass-a-grille, located on the south-ernendofSt.Pete Beach,Floridaisher go-tolocation.She alsoshellsinthe Bahamas, when visit-ing her father-in-law.Commissions have kept her busy over the past two years, and she Michele McKibbonhas noticed a transfor-with a commissioned sculpture. mation in her art and the way the dogs look now.I seemed to have found a sweet spot, especially with making the faces, Michele said. Creatingthesculpturesistherapeutic. Iamvery much inspired by the broken bits of shells, she told us. Last year, after the death of Maui, her first dog of 16 years, Michelefoundcomfortwhilecreatingalifesizeshell sculpture of her. It provided a way for me to process her loss and have her memory by me forever. Maui was more Baylor than my first pet. She represented my youth and growing up, marrying and having two children. She was part of all of that. Her sculptures are all made of 100% shell and are not built upon anything. Just made by hand, piece by piece, until I am satisfied, she said. Each piece is finished with an epoxy resin to make them more resilient and durable. In the shapes and colors of shells and broken pieces, Michele visualizes something taking shape; perhaps its an eyebroworthepotentialtobeanose.Itsatthose moments when she becomes instantly inspired. Early in the development of the shell creations, her children were an inspiration. My son, Jack, wanted me to make an elephant holding a butterfly based on a tiny pen fan shell he found, said Michele. She also created a T-Rex for Jack receiving a thumbs up from her husband, giving her the confidence to pursue her art form. Chocolate was a commissioned piece. 40 THE NEW BARKER'