White Shapes Defaulting to Clipping Mask?

[emma5DD1]

Hi,

When i draw a white shape in illustrator, it seems to somehow create a clipping mask of that shape. When viewing in preview the white shape is then transparent and you can see the very bottom layer.

If I change the colour of the shape to anyting other than white, the shape shows as a solid block. I'm not sure what I have clicked, but i can't seem to switch it off. 

Could someone please help?

Kind Regards

Em

[Monika Gause]

Can you please show a screenshot that includes your complete workspace as well as the appearance panel and the layers panel