Thursday, May 14, 2009

Shell 2


The second of the marvelous shells I found at the thrift shop. I really loved painting this, and it came together really fast. A surprising and pleasant painting experience on this one last night.

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More art on my website: jalapfaff.com

15 comments:

Karla Nolan said...

Lovely, lovely, lovely painted shell! I adore shells, have them all over my house here in Fort Collins -- and so far from the ocean, no less!

We should meet up sometime -- I get to Boulder about once in a blue moon these days, but 30 years ago worked at NCAR!

Be well -- Karla

r garriott said...

You are SO GOOD! The gleam of the pearlescent surface is wonderful. as are the reflected pinks and the blue-grays of the shadows.

Karen said...

Great form here...and I really like the 'unfinished' perimeter in this one too.

Fábio Cembranelli said...

yes...beautiful. It looks like a pearl, I love the texture, color and light here.

Kerri Settle said...

I'm echoing what everyone said about the pearlescence of the shell; you really got that JUST right. I love it.

Anonymous said...

sensitive subject, shells, for me anyway. the last one I tried to do turned to mud trying to get those curves and crevices right. Great job Jala

kim denise said...

Really, really lovely. You've caught that pearly sheen (r already used "pearlescent," one of my favorite words). The unfinished background only emphasizes the shell's perfection.

Karen Bruson said...

Jala, Great job with this shell, too. You get around the form so nicely. The grays are beautiful and I love the background unfinished.

L.Holm said...

This is absolutely beautiful, Jala. So delicate and glowing.

artbyakiko said...

Beautiful! I love the soft colors and glow of this shell, and a wonderful dream-like quality, which all of your paintings have.

Pam Holnback said...

This shell is beautiful. It looks like a female shell!

Laurel Daniel said...

Gorgeous - I love the pink reflections in the shadow!

susan hong-sammons said...

This is exquisite. A precious gem. And you created a very intimate atmosphere. I simply love it

Jala Pfaff said...

Thank you all so much! Forgive me for responding less lately to individual comments. I'm trying to spend slightly less time on the computer and slightly more on painting...such a struggle to have time to paint, while there are more and more computer requirements...but I so appreciate all your visits and comments, and will still try to respond individually most of the time.
That pearlescent (indeed, what a great word!) effect was definitely what I wanted to capture. It's the most gorgeous shell...like an oversized garden-snail shell sort of thing. I need more shells to paint! I think I only have one round left, from the thrift shop.
Cheers....J

Gwen Bell said...

I gasped when I saw this. The reflection in the pearl, the bright red moments, the subtle blue shadows and pink highlights revealing another level of pearl reflection, the navy shadow...all that wonderful detail against that loose background of yours that I love so much. Simply perfect!