Using mussel shells in a still life with blue lusterware has been in the back of my mind for quite a while. I thought that white linen would be a good backdrop for them, and it probably would be... but these old, rough-sawn boards happened to be nearby when I chose an east window as my light source, so I lined them up as a tabletop and immediately liked what I saw. The colors are just complimentary enough, the wood grain shapes just similar enough to the shells, and the texture just varied enough from the other subjects to lend a comfortable beauty to the setting.
Sharing this detail of my work-in-progress gives me incentive to keep working, through muggy weather and summer activities, and get this done! Look for the entire, finished piece to be posted soon.
6 comments:
This is exquisite! Thank you for sharing the details about your composition. That helps me so much!
What a wonderful piece! Predominantly cool in temperature. Love the blues and violets and different textures.
Like Kendra I like the colours and textures. Fabulous composition - I especially like the direction of the 'lines' between the boards and the reflections of the shells.
I still am not quite 100% about California but I am checking out flights...it would be great to meet you in person!!!
Oh and I love the crystal bowls in the previous piece and wow - your background - your work vibrates with energy, love your use of colour and your stroke technique. Just a gushing fan really... :-)
Katherine, thank you! Putting these still life pieces together is full of surprises. The composition creates itself, as the elements get moved around into different positions. Hopefully, I recognize a good one before I go and rearrange it again!
Kendra, thanks so much! I could work work in shades of blue forever!
Hi Theresa, and thank you! I find myself blushing and looking for something to duck behind! :~)
Really hope to see you in California!
Found your Musssel Shell painting today. Very nice. I spend a lot of time in Blue Hill and collect mussel shells, make things with them etc. Do you sell cards or anything with your images? Would love a photo or image of this. m(at)mcdstudios.com
Thank you, m! (I have sent you an email.)
Blue Hill is one of the many beautiful places in Maine that I have never been, but it's on my list!
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