Original artwork description:

An original 40" x 60", (101.6 x 152.4cm), oil painting of shells, shell skeletons and sea anemones in a tidal pool. Explore a tide pool with this one-of-a-kind artwork, it is a true representation of the peace and harmony of searching for shells. You'll find yourself coming back again and again as there is always something new to see in it. With great textures and rich colors on display.
Each shell is individually painted in lifelike detail, I worked on this artwork for over a year painting hundreds of shells one by one with layers upon layers of paint. I finished it with transparent glazes of turquoise paint flowing gently over the shells to give the painting movement. The water guides the viewer's eye from one shell to the next around and around the painting. I enjoy the random way that the shells are scattered in the tide pools as well as the multitude of patterns and colors in this unique artwork.
The story behind this painting is that while staying in Mangawhai, New Zealand, we went for a walk along the beach one afternoon with our 2 dogs. At the end of the beach we discovered a lava rock outcropping with tide pools filled with thousands of beautiful shells and sea life. I was so taken by these tide pools that I decided to do a series of large oil paintings of them.
This painting is amazing and calming to live with.

Materials used:

canvas, oil paints, brushes, picture varnish

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