Friday, January 13, 2006

Illustration Friday: E is for Enchanted Isle


















My submission for IF is "Enchanted Isle". I have posted it on my blog in the past and I created this for my show last summer. This is a painting I wanted to do for so long and I set aside some time in May 2005 to really focus and make this seashell frame that I had initially created for a commissioned painting that was quite large, but I wanted to make one for me. This frame is made from one piece of formable foamcore and I cut it out with an exacto knife by hand. It took a couple days to cut out. Then I paint each individual shell and pour a resin over the whole frame. The painting is acrylic on masonite. I do all of my paintings on gessoed masonite. You might notice not a building in sight
and that is because I love the ocean too!

50 comments:

Teri said...

Oh Val, it is GORGEOUS!!! Prize worthy for sure.

andrea said...

Such tasty colours and such an original piece. Thanks for the explanation of how you did it, Val. I usually paint on canvas (I like the springy feeling), but love it when I decide to paint on wood or board as the paint just glides on. You can get much better detail on a hard, smooth surface.

andrea said...

Did you vote yet? There are 20 categories at the BoBs. Something for everyone!

Grangry said...

Oh Val, On a dreary grey day in the LONGEST part of the year, I could just go there! Thank you for lifting my spirits.

Liz Jones said...

Nice work! Love the colors~

isay said...

it is really enchanting! and well done job with the seashells frame!

Sally said...

I can't believe that frame is foam core! It looks so gorgeous. I bet it's pretty lightweight, then, eh?

Anonymous said...

Truly enchanting.

madretz said...

Oh wow...this is breathtaking! Simply beautiful...I'd love a few weeks on your enchanged isle.

marc said...

Hello,
I like very much Enchanted Island.
Really.C'est un plaisir pour les yeux.

Unknown said...

What a great idea for a frame. I love it. Such fun to have the frame match the art exactly.

Anonymous said...

Excellent Effort and of course Enchanting :)

Anonymous said...

this is exquisitely enchanting! love your art, val!

bee'nme said...

I enjoyed seeing this on your blog earlier - perfect choice...beautifully done!

Anonymous said...

That frame of shells is gorgeous. Indeed an enchanted island.

Donna Farrell said...

very enchanted indeed!

Shano said...

Too cool! Beautiful picture and fabulous frame!

Doodlestreet said...

Oh cool! You get an "E" Grade! Excellent! Man, your work is so dang cool....

The Unknown said...

I love this. It's so exotic. Makes me want to be on a beach somewhere.
love

Anonymous said...

Very nice indeed. I see some glares, is this another layered project? Look great. ...couldn't get past last weeks subject, huh? :-)

Unknown said...

Val so much work into this. Truely enchanted.
I wouldn't mind being there right now

Catnapping said...

This is positively saturated in colour. It's what the best dreams are made of.

brava.

Unknown said...

I Heart This! Do more.

Unknown said...

Lovely amazing arts!

Anonymous said...

Val! As always, your work is always so uplifting and fun!! I, too, wish I could escape there for even a few days... You do great work!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Katili said...

It's like from a childhood imagination of a paradise island- beautifully done with warm colours.

Weichuen You said...

Val this is a very charming illo! I love the seashells!

letile said...

What a frame! I would love to see one of those shells close-up.
I love the ocean too.
Great work-

RHoward454 said...

Enchanting! What more can one say? Great work!

Zórdís said...

Great and so different. This is the perferct place to visit when one closes her/his eyes. Nice one Val!

steve said...

This is a labor of luv ! Wow !

stevePoisonPencil

Caroline said...

Wow!

And I love the way you make your works - thanks for explaining.

Wilnara said...

Val I hear the music mon! Sippin' on a cool one ... hearing the ocean. Beautiful!

StayAtHomeKat said...

surely this is Bali Ha'i

gisedesign said...

Muy Hermoso y dedicado trabajo!

modroom said...

Oh please book me on a holiday here. This is so tranquil.

KarenW said...

This is gorgeous! I love it. The colors are so vibrant. I miss living near the ocean and I think of it often. Thanks for your beautiful painting. I needed this. I'm sitting under a very gray sky right now. Also, thanks for explaining your process.

Kay Aker said...

Exceptionally enjoyable to look at!

String said...

So here I was expecting a house! Lovely.

TXArtcGal said...

Awesome! LOVE the colors, and the frame is AMAZING!

The Tart said...

Wow...thanks for the details on how you made this. It is wonderful. I just love your work.

HARDWAX said...

you are so original

Todd DeWolf said...

Wow! Now that is a lot of work-great work. How do I make a reservation? Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Love your work, and I enjoy reading about your past experiences too! Great stuff.

Twisselman said...

Very very nice. Peaceful and calm. Wanna be there. And, yes, I see houses in the form of shells around the border and in the scene.

Jaimie said...

Enchanting indeed! I just love your soft vivid colors. And the seashell frame is amazing. I would love to learn how to do that.

QweySpiral said...

I can almost smell the salt water! unique idea

Jules said...

Haha, I WONDERED where the buildings were! Very nice and creative.

RedT0pMedusa said...

i live on an enchanted island but it's not nearly so nice as this one mine is full of stones

Diandra Mae said...

This is amazing! I can't believe the labor that went into creating this piece. It's gorgeous. (Reminds me of Sue Monk Kidd's Mermaid Chair novel cover.)