Friday, 1 January 2016

Shiny Start to Shiny New Year

 
Day 1 of Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days challenge
Abalone Shell
acrylic on board 16cm x 16cm
 
Yay, one down, twenty nine to go!
 
I've long planned to paint an abalone shell. I have a bit of a thing for them. When walking on the beach their glittery mother-of-pearl sheen makes them look like little jewels embedded in the sand . I originally had a small purple sea urchin next to the abalone shell but ended up scrubbing it out. I wasn't happy with how it was coming along. So now the positioning of the shell in the painting is a little awry. However, considering how laborious and frustrating it was trying to replicate mother-of-pearl from life in paint, I was happy that it ended up recognisable as an abalone shell at all.
 
I had been toying with making the theme for my challenge to be all things shiny. I may stick with that idea but I don't like to pin myself down too strictly due to the risk of blocking inspiration. I find that my mood on the day very much determines my choice of subject matter.
 
I had a lovely swim at the beach after completing my painting and spotted quite a few other abalone shells washed up on the sand.
 
Oh yes, two weeks ago I was invited to do a book signing at Dymocks at Whitfords Shopping Centre. It was very exciting - and terrifying - but was a great experience and I sold some books to some lovely customers.
 
 
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! May 2016 be a fabulous year of great health and prolific creative exploits!
 
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14 comments:

  1. art by Michael Perchard1 January 2016 at 03:44

    G'Day Mate! Hi Wendy! Great post! Love your shiny abalone shell! Good luck with your painting challenge! You will do well! ("May The Art Force Be With You!") Happy you got a chance to go for a swim! Imagine going for a swim in December!!! Love the photo of your book signing! Great photo of you! All the best Wendy! Happy 2016!
    Your Buddy!
    Michael

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  2. Wendy Barrett1 January 2016 at 05:32

    Thanks so much Michael! Great to know I have your support and maybe the Art Force too!You are very kind Michael!

    Hard NOT to imagine swimming in December here in Australia!:)
    Wishing you a happy and fabulous 2016!
    Your art cobber,
    Wendy

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    1. Wendy Barrett1 January 2016 at 05:34

      P.S. not sure if I made sense with the "not imagining swimming" bit - but I think you know what I mean!

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  3. Chris Lally1 January 2016 at 06:06

    Great start, Wendy! Sometimes themes are helpful - sometimes restrictive, but I love that your mood determines your subject matter. Looking forward to seeing your 30-30 paintings and beyond!

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    1. Wendy Barrett2 January 2016 at 04:26

      Thanks so much Chris. Yes, hopefully this theme will be helpful. I appreciate your interest in my journey with the challenge.

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  4. Joan Tavolott1 January 2016 at 13:23

    Love your shell for the start of the challenge!!! Nice job making it look shiny! Sounds like a good theme. I went to the beach today to start the year off right...in my down jacket, hat and gloves. lol Happy New Year!

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    1. Wendy Barrett2 January 2016 at 04:30

      Our respective beach visits were quite the contrast weren't they? It must have been fresh and uplifting for you despite the cold. Happy New Year Joan and good luck with the challenge!

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  5. Debbie Nolan1 January 2016 at 17:25

    Dear Wendy - Hooray for you on your first delightful painting of the new year and the 30 day challenge. This was a great subject too. As for the book signing - you couldn't look better friend. Hope your new year is the best ever. Hugs!

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    1. Wendy Barrett2 January 2016 at 04:31

      Thanks so much Debbie! You are very kind.
      Wishing you a wonderfully uplifting and Happy New Year too Debbie!

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  6. Janine2 January 2016 at 09:06

    So beautiful! I love have a love of all things shiny....hence my jewelry making habit. lol. I have several abalone pieces I made that I love to wear. I can imagine that painting one would be quite challenging. I'm working on a sea shell rug right now that I designed that is proving to be difficult too. But all these things stretch us, right? I hope you have a blessed 2016 that is filled with wonderful creativity.

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    1. Wendy Barrett3 January 2016 at 06:17

      Thanks so much Janine. I would love to see photos of your sea shell rug - I absolutely love the rugs you make! You are so talented in so many different arenas!

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  7. Karen Johnston Daily Paintings2 January 2016 at 23:39

    I love shiny things too Wendy! I will look to your 30/30 paintings...shiny or not! Love your photo, congratulations on the book signing and selling some!!

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    1. Wendy Barrett3 January 2016 at 06:18

      Thanks Karen. You are a dab hand at shiny things,I was just re-admiring your lovely bottles on your blog that you did a while back.

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  8. Barbara Muir13 January 2016 at 09:53

    Happy New Year Wendy,

    I am almost finished reading your book, and I am very sad to be coming to the end. Such a super read.

    XOXOXOXOXO Great painting. I'd love to walk along the beach in Nova Scotia with you. We call it shelling -- looking for shells.

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