Beach treasure; Collections I & II

Beach collections II   watercolour on paper 20x24cm approx   ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

I was playing with some of my beach finds looking at the colours, textures and shapes. I thought rather than painting them in isolation as I usually do I would put them into an arrangement for a group portait. These are the first two -  there will be more. It's interesting to build a relationship in the colours, textures shapes and the linear rhythms. I enjoyed including the sea china, glass and pebbles which are given context with the shells and feathers, otherwise they just read as abstract shapes and colours.

As I write this I am thinking that this may be another avenue to explore on another day it would be interesting for me to return to abstraction after so long...... So many possibilities and so little time especially now that school is out and there is a little one to have adventures with. More trips to the beach! Yippeee!

Beach treasures collection I   watercolour on paper 20x24cm approx   ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

Both of these images are available as reproduction prints, stationery and greetings cards on Redbubble/lisalequelenec.

July's moon and a big storm

July's Moon   acrylic on board 19x19cm   ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

Another moon inspired painting - trying to capture the beautiful hazy and subtle coloured rings that surrounded it. There is something very restful and calming about painting night scenes that I really enjoy.

This painting is available on Etsy at Seaside Studios UK.

Reproductions are also available in different formats both framed and unframed  here.



I previously wrote about July's moon being named a thunder moon by some people. We were certainly treated to a spectacular electrical storm that lasted many hours in the late afternoon and stretching into the night on Tuesday. The rain was very heavy as the sky lit up. I didn't venture out but watched for some time from inside. I imagine had I been on the cliff top I may have seen something akin to this as the torrential rain started to move in;

Sketchbook page  watercolour   ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

July's moon and Indigo

July's Full Moon   sketchbook page A6   ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

This month's full moon was a real treat! It was big, bright and beautiful. The last light of the setting sun combined with the inky cloud made for a lovely colour combination of palest aqua, indigo, cobalt and soft ochre and sienna. It was quite a display. Trying to sketch in the dark so that I could watch all the colours changing was quite a challenge and I really couldn't do it justice but it was fun to try anyway.

I have read that some Native American tribes call the full moon in July the Thunder Moon because of the hot and humid storms that can arrive at this time. In Europe it was sometimes called the Mead Moon, (a drink made from fermenting honey, yeast and water.) because it occurs at the same time as larger honey yields. I know parts of the country have had a good display of storms but whilst it has been hot here and we have had our share of rain to clear the air there has been no thunder or lightening so far - we do have many honey bees busy in the garden though.





After night sky watching I have been inspired to paint the velvety blues and a set of inky coloured watercolour shells have been the result. All six are available individually at Seaside Studios UK
 

Shell studies in blue and indigo   21x30cm approx each   ©2017Lisa Le Quelenec