So, as you’ve maybe noticed, most international holidays are just that, holy-days. Today in Spain, and many other countries, is the day to celebrate St. James.

Again, I did some quick research and found some fascinating things.

St. James was, among other things, a pilgrim. The symbol for pilgrims and people with no permanent home is the scallop shell. Sometimes the oyster shell. This is because, as they travel along the shores on their way to the holy land, they pick up shells and hold on to them for use as a utensil. This is my portrait of St. James with his scallop shell affixed to his shoulder, like a badge.