The Story Behind the Oyster Society Book Cover

A Coastal Painting Collaboration with Virginia Shaffer and Islandport Press

I’m honored to share a recent collaboration that brought together storytelling, coastal inspiration, and fine art in a meaningful way.

I was commissioned to create the original painting and cover design for Oyster Society, working alongside talented author Virginia Shaffer and the wonderful team at Islandport Press to visually capture the essence of the book.

From the outset, the goal was to create a piece that felt deeply rooted in coastal life—something atmospheric, layered, and evocative of place. My work often explores the relationship between land, water, and memory, and this project was a natural extension of that focus.

The process was highly collaborative (Virginia sourced and photographed the oysters herself—as an aficionado she hand selected the perfect specimens to paint from), translating narrative into visual language while maintaining a strong artistic point of view. Together, we refined the direction to ensure the final cover would not only represent the story, but also stand on its own as a compelling piece of coastal artwork that represents the diversity present in our oyster communities.

Being selected for a project like this is always meaningful—especially when working with a publisher known for thoughtfully crafted books and a clear editorial vision. It’s a reflection of the growing demand for original, painterly work in publishing and the continued value of fine art in storytelling.

Seeing the finished cover in print is incredibly rewarding, and I’m grateful to have contributed to a project that celebrates both place and narrative in such a beautiful way.

If you’d like to explore the book or reserve a copy, you can pre-order it here.

Virginia Shaffer is a food writer, oyster sommelier, and the founder of Lady Oyster Tours & Tastings, Maine’s first oyster culinary tour company, which was globally awarded “Best Rural Culinary Heritage Experience” in 2025 by the World Food Travel Association. 

She has written about shellfish for over ten years and has been featured on NPR, Boston Chronicle, and in publications such as Edible, Good Grit, MyMaine, Post and Courier, and more. She holds a certificate in Gastronomic Tourism from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, and a B.A. in International Studies from American University. 

It was an honor to be chosen by her to work on this inspiring and wildly creative project.