My friend Shelby's friend--and now my friend--Freddie made the most beautiful embellished mirrors using shells, not bought shells, but shells and bits she found along the Delaware bay. Her creations are gorgeous--very "encrusted"--they have a wonderful accretive abandon; in mine, I'm afraid, I was too cautious about not covering over the bits I liked! I wonder if I had ever realized before how stunning the subtle greys, creams, and browns of our local shells are. I wish I had taken some photos of Freddie's creations; you'll have to settle for now with this photo of my first attempt to follow in her footsteps. I added beach glass and pebbles, which maybe are a bit too much--but, like Freddie, added whelk egg casings, and, as a nod to my cat, Smilla, a seagull feather!
Freddie also, and perhaps primarily, makes amazing, unique (gulp) jewelry! I now have four of her necklaces and as many pairs of earrings ... I plan to do a post showing them as soon as I can. Wait until you see her stuff--you'll be smitten, as I am.
Freddie also, and perhaps primarily, makes amazing, unique (gulp) jewelry! I now have four of her necklaces and as many pairs of earrings ... I plan to do a post showing them as soon as I can. Wait until you see her stuff--you'll be smitten, as I am.
Now if that frame isn't perfect for one of your beautiful watercolor beach scenes, I don't know what is! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteYour first effort is pretty darned good :) I'd like to see one that just plays off the texture of all those shells using just whites and beiges, too - that can be your second one :)
ReplyDeleteLaura I love it makes me want to stroll on the beach and wade,,Diana
ReplyDeleteLaura, just catching up on your blog as I'm without my own pc for over 6wks. Love your shell work and of course I'm partial to the Keys as I've lived just a few hours away for a very long time. Maybe I should repost my coconuts!!! I've just moved and its taken up so much of my time ... will be back soon though.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI love this and want to know how you
do it. The sea glass is beautiful.
I was going to write about play -- for a painter crafts are play. The other day I took a break from a hectic day to gild a terracotta plate with gold leaf. It had been gilded at one point with imitation gold, but we'd left it outside. I might have used a whole package of real gold leaf, but boy was it fun, and a nice break from the normal.
Take care,
Barbara
This is great.
Take care,
Barbar
I love your picture frame! I have been following your blog for a while and I love the wonderful watercolors you paint. I am a beginning watercolorist and I get much inspiration from your art.
ReplyDeleteVery cool, Laura! I picked up some pretty shells when we were on our work retreat at the beach recently, and several of them already had holes in them that I think I can use to make earrings and a necklace out of--love your mirror here!
ReplyDelete