The snail moves slowly yet steadily forward. It is a symbol of patience, resilience, and self-reliance. With a home on its back, it reminds us that home is not only a place, but a feeling we can carry with us.
Nearly ten years ago, I stayed at an oceanfront cottage in Truro, on Cape Cod. One early morning, I stepped outside and found several large snails settled near the edge of the boardwalk. They were covered in dew, slowly chewing the dune grass within reach. I knelt down and watched them for a while, fascinated by the way they nibbled away.
There was something mesmerizing about them. As the sun rose higher, they slipped beneath the boardwalk and disappeared, but the sight of them stayed with me far longer than I expected.
This drawing is inspired by that joyful memory. It lets one of those snails take center stage, just as they did for me that morning.
Jackie Foster Art 