Emerging - Broken but Still Beautiful - June

 

Emerging   mixed media on paper 33x75cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

A much bigger beauty for June, I felt like a larger scale and a bit of blue. I think it suits her - loud and proud.

Using a swordliner brush in the background for the sinuous lines that I feel echo both shell and the idea of water, it felt good to stretch a bit. I used a combination of watercolour, watersoluble pencils, gouache and acrylic ink to get the darkest darks. Back to pencil next month I think.

Emerging   mixed media   prints, stationery and accessories available at RedBubble   ©2024LisaLeQulenec

Shorelines - mixed media and collages

 

Sometimes it feels like you are working away and not getting anywhere fast and then all of a sudden things click into place and pieces are all finished at once. That is what has happened this week for me, it has been like waiting for the tide. Four small mixed media and collage pieces inspired by the colours and textures of the shoreline. I am feeling drawn to the very edge or meeting point of sea and sand. 

All four are available in my Etsy Store.

On The Shoreline I   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline I   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline II   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

On The Shoreline II   mixed media and collage on linen board 10x10cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn II   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Seaworn I   mixed media and collage on linen board 20x20cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Little treasures from the shore

Auger shells ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Look at these little beauties found in Scotland. I have never found these before though I believe they can be found here in the South. I may have jigged a little happy dance when I spotted the first one 😊 The colours are many and are really subtle when you look closely. I picked up these three for the variation in their colouring, the photo doesn't do them justice.

The treasures in the photo below are from a more recent trip to Kimmeridge, I think they make a nice potential palette.

Pebble, limpet, seaweed and plastic ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

A little blue book of blue

Sketchbook pages from my little blue book. I'm about halfway through this little square sketchbook (14x14cm) it has a blue cover as apposed to the usual black ones and so I am using only blue inside....a bit easier for me I know. Maybe next time I will brave a red cover and only use red...only joking!  I don't think I could manage that.

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

 

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

From my Little Blue Book  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spiral inspiration

 

Spiral inspiration from paper trimmings ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Inspiration really is everywhere! Aren't these spirals just perfect. Trimmings from paintings I was getting ready to mount. I feel a new pattern coming on....

They remind me of Karl Blossfeldt photographs.

Broken but still beautiful V

 

Broken But Still Beautiful V

A little bit of a change this month - after starting out in pencil I thought this one was a dramatic enough shape to explore in ink with more extreme tonal contrasts. I quite like the stronger background. 

Stages of Broken But Still Beautiful V  A4-ish acrylic ink  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

This month's model was acquired in Longniddry, Scotland. I was astonished at the size of the shells I found there. The majority of the whelks (and scallops) that I found there were at least twice/three times the size of the largest ones that I find along the South Coast (size comparison in the photo below). I collected a few beautifully broken ones and one with the most stunning 'pashmina' of barnacles. I will save this one for later in the year, maybe an extra large version when I can work outside... 

Whelks ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Submerge / Descend monoprint and mixed media

 

I was itching to play with my usual inky blues so indulged myself for a day with some monoprinting...

Submerge monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Details from a lino stamp used in pebble monoprints   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I enjoyed experimenting with layers of thick and thin ink and how they interacted. I used lots of ink extender for very thin and transparent layers (it works much like glaze medium in oil and acrylic painting). Once the prints were dry some pebbles were collaged in and extra white ink drawn in to enhance the light/current/flow. I wanted the feeling of being pulled gently under water.

Descend I -IV   monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The same prints just playing with layouts - seeing how they speak to each other/if they speak to each other.

Descend I - IV   monoprint and mixed media 9.5x15cm   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sometimes erosion seems to happen quickly and violently as in a storm but sometimes it is the persistent, gradual and slow process of wearing surfaces over many years that leads up to the big event. I think this is true of painting/printing too. Some days you feel like you have made leaps in your work but it is all the days where tiny little steps have been made that are important to get to your goal. Slow and persistent - the message that I take from the sea.

The two prints at the top in the above photograph are available in my Etsy store  and the lower two are available in my Folksy store.

Spring or sea glass greens - coastal collage and mixed media

 

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A4ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Sand and water ripples ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

So much inspiration in this photograph...the colours and textures especially. I'm not sure what people think when they see me taking pictures of soggy sand but I am quite happy in my world 😊 This photograph could be the route of a lifetimes work there is so much that appeals to me.

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A4ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Ripples in the sand ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Untitled   Mixed media collage on A5ish watercolour paper  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

I have always been drawn to green stones, probably because they are rare here, and have some lovely green serpentine from Cornwall. The very pale textured pebble in the photo I am at a loss as to what it is but would love to know. The mintyness is lovely.

A selection of minty green pieces are available in my Folksy Store.

Trying out a little video - after much messing around with editing this is my first effort!

Ripples and reflections ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Piddock made hagstones ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Hag stones made by piddocks are a bit more unusual here too, I normally find them made by tidal erosion. The perfect circles put me in mind of Barbera Hepworth's sculptures and one of my favourite quotes from her:

'Many people select a stone or pebble to carry for the day, the weight and form and texture felt in our hands relates to the past and gives us a sense of universal force. The beautifully shaped stone washed up by the sea is a symbol of continuity a silent image of our desire for survival, peace and serenity.'    - Barbara Hepworth

Broken but Still Beautilful IV

 

April's model opted for a reclining pose to show off the voluptuous curves and well formed columella. The opposing curvatures of the form was a challenge with this one and I took a little liberty in strengthening the darkness of the shadows. As this shell seemed to be channelling a 40's movie starlet I figured it was all about the lighting. 

Broken but Still Beautiful II   pencil on A4 paper   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

The model for Broken but Still Beautiful IV   ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Just another mention that my watercolour series 'Little Treasures' - paintings of shells and sea creatures is currently offered 40% off in my Folksy Store until the end of the month. Unfortunately I am still unable to post to the E.U. but can post nearly everywhere else.

A spring sale on Folksy of little treasures - sea shells on the seashore

 

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spring is slow in coming and I am dreaming of warmer, sunny, summer days so I thought I would have a little sale over in my Folksy store. These little treasures have been collected over the years from beaches visited or observed in aquariums and as museum specimens. They look lovely as collections or on their own - maybe as a gallery wall with your own collected treasures.

I am offering them with 40% off the usual retail price until the end of April - P&P depends on how far they have to travel to your part of the world. In the past many have crossed oceans to find new homes sometimes on the coast and some further inland. It is always fun for me to see where they will wash up next.

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

 

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec

Spring sale until the end of April at Folksy  ©2024LisaLeQuelenec