Based on my love of exploring the Texas Hill Country and our family love of all things paleontological, The Shell is a story meant to spark curiosity and discovery. I am lucky enough to spend part of my time at a magical property that continually inspires art and education. We lovingly refer to it as “The Mountain,” and it is the center of much of the creative energy in my personal life. This book was born from my fascination with the land on which we live and is the first in a series of stories that I hope will highlight the importance of keeping our eyes open to the wonders of the things that came before us.