Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Beach Memories



For about 20 years, our family lived within walking distance of a beach. We went to it in all seasons--not just the bright, sunny, peaceful days of summer--but on the days that it was freezing, and there were big chunks of ice cluttering the beach...or the crisp fall days when it was too cold to swim and the leaves were golden and covered with frost. In any weather, the beach was a place to rest, gather our thoughts, meditate, and recharge.

Now we live in a small city apartment and that beach, on the eastern end of Long Island, lives in our memories. My daughter was recently redecorating her city bedroom. The gauzy curtains and green plants she chose reminded me somehow of that serene beach. I realized that her walls were bare, so I thought: "Why not gift her with a painting of our favorite beach?"

I didn't want to start with a plain white canvas. To add texture and color, I used my go-to supply--recycled turmeric teabags. (I save all kinds of teabags, dry them, empty out the contents, then flatten the teabags and use them in my paintings and mixed media projects. You can see my tutorial on using teabags by clicking here.)

First, I chose a 12"x12" stretched canvas. Next, using a spatula, I covered the canvas with matte medium, added teabags, and covered them with a layer of matte medium.
 
 

I like to use the tops that are cut off the teabags to create visual interest, forming X, L or + marks. 

Next, I pulled out acrylic colors that reminded me of the sun and sea and sand, and a whole bunch of StencilGirl® stencils. I looked for designs that would hint at waves, rocks, clouds or the sun.


The lacy lotus design by Jessica Sporn and Gwen Lafluer's decorative medallion gave the feel of clouds.The golden ochre of the turmeric background gave a sense of sunshine.
A design from the September 2018 StencilClub® set by Carol Wiebe was perfect for rocks--since the beach is on the bay side of Long Island's South Fork there are quite a few rocks mixed in with the sand.
 The painting was starting to shape up!
 I added layer after layer until I got the look I wanted.
I wanted to create a feeling of the little hill on the right side of the beach and the rocky paths leading to the shore. When I added the dark teal wavy marks, I realized it was too much. The color was too dark, and the shapes to obvious. So, I just stenciled over it with a lighter color and the dark teal receded into the background.

There are also wooden fences here and there to help prevent erosion, and also to keep people from trampling delicate beach grasses and flowers, so I used brown paint with a medium sized StencilClub® mash up set from January 2019 designed by Seth Apter and Mary Beth Shaw to give the worn fence effect.
 Another StencilClub® set, Mary Beth Shaw's February 2019 private collection, was used to add the feeling of rocks and water.

A final touch was adding little brush marks and dots with the dark brown paint to make the viewer's eye follow the Z shaped path from the sand and rocks, through the fence opening, and down to the waterline.

I hope she'll love her new painting. I'm pretty sure it'll look great on the wall of her newly decorated bedroom!


Be sure to hop over to each fantastic project and leave a comment for the artist! 
The more comments, the more chances you'll have to win $50 worth of StencilGirl® stencils! Good luck!
Claudia Neubacher's Tote Bag
Sunila & Aditi Mahajan's Treasure Box
Peg Robinson's Necklace
Shel C's Journal Set
Jennifer Gallagher's Paper Mache Gift Box
Linda Edkins Wyatt's Beach Memories Painting
Jill McDowell's Twisted Treasure Pouches
Carol Baxter's Advent Calendar

Contest closes 10-8-19 at 11:59 p.m. CST.  Winner notified by email 10-9-19.








39 comments:

Art Joy of Sharing with Peg and Shel said...

A gift anyone would enjoy!

Terri said...

That came out really nice. Love the tea bag layer.

Carol Baxter said...

Linda, your painting totally makes me feel like sitting on the beach listening to the surf. Ahhhh. Lovely!

Dotstolines said...

Linda, that is a fantastic painting! Love the idea and story behind it and all the details you've added to support it!! xx Sunila & Aditi

Peg C said...

Great uses of different mediums and stencils for a great picture!

Vicky said...

Wow That is a fantastic way to use those amazing STencilgirl stencils and create an awesome gift for someone. <3

Aimeslee Winans said...

This is so gorgeous and I love the texture of those tea bags. I have pinned this, it's easy to follow and great photos. THANKS! xoxo

ann barnes said...

Wow Linda, this definitely has undertones of a serene beach. I am awed by the gorgeous backdrop created with the teabags. I really should try this. The stencils you’ve chosen seem to really add the elements that lend me to think of the beach, right down to that awesome fencing! This will be a beautiful reminder for your daughter and I’m sure a gift she will treasure for a long time to come!

Karen S Musgrave said...

I love this and you did an amazing job of layering! ❤️

Jean said...

So many gorgeous layers! Loving the stencils. I am sure this will be loved!

Jill McDowell said...

Linda, oh wow! You had me hooked at the tea bags! They make such an awesome backdrop. Your painting is just lovely and would have me dreaming about the beach in mid winter. Such a beautiful present.

PaperOcotilloStudio said...

Your painting has a lovely 'beachy' feel to it. I hope your daughter loves it and places it n a place of honor in her room ;)

TerryO said...

What a wonderful, memory-filled gift! I like the way you used the tea bags for under-layers. Thanks for sharing your technique.

Amanda said...

I never would have thought of using stencils to make a landscape! Love it! And now I need to save some teabags. 😀

Debbie Bonner said...

Beautiful painting, that will bring calmness and the sound of the surf when hung on a wall.

Christine Slay said...

I LOVE this painting! Must try out the tea bag idea! Thank you!

Karthikha said...

That's awesome! It's great to watch how the project came along at each step! :)

TGonzales said...

The use of the teabags is genius. I love the simplicity and love that shines out in this painting.

TGonzales said...

The teabags are genius. You have captured the dynamic beauty of a beach scene.

Rachel said...

Amazing - you created a beachscape with stencil elements! You are so clever!! I LOVE this creation - the colors are scrumptious and the vibe puts me in the dunes looking at the sea. How lovely! racheljobell(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

You encapsulated the feeling of the beach so well with your beautiful colours, textures and patterns!

Helen Percy Lystra said...

Nice, I may have to start drinking tea

G from CA said...

You have really captured the feel of the beach. You have opened my eyes to ways of looking at stencils and using them to create a feeling rather than being so literal.

Jackie PN said...

Linda, this is wonderfully Fabulous! If Amanda doesn't like it, it sure does remind me of our favorite family beach as well- so I would be happy to take it off her hands! LOL
I explored the beach every step of the way with you and your descriptive art progress,what an amazing journey through the sands and waves xx

Sharon Foulk said...

Gorgeous layering. It feels like layers of memories. Your daughter will love it!

Chris Deibel said...

It makes me almost smell the salty air. It is lovely

JazzyJane said...

what beautiful work. Am sure your daughter is loving it. thanks for this lovely inspiration.

Michelle Logan said...

Gorgeous piece, thanks for sharing!

Organic said...

Such a wonderful and interesting interpretation of the beach from your memories. The colors and the marks brings that beach to life. I know your daughter will love this mixed media art you created for her newly decorated room! You are the sunshine of her days and sharing your memories adds to the closeness you have with her.

Carlotta Holman said...

I like how you used some "literal" stencils in more organic ways, such as the flowers becoming clouds. The painting has a very evocative feel. I'm sure it will be lovely on your daughter's wall. TFS

Doreen K. said...

Wow, that is totally awesome!!!!

Sybil Grieco said...

This is wonderful! I can sense the beach perfectly. I love how you used the stencils images differently to make up your painting. What a wonderful gift.

Unknown said...

What a clever idea.

Sara said...

This is a very peaceful remembrance of great memories. I’m sure it will be well appreciated

Catherine said...

Linda, I love your beautiful project!

Carol w said...

Love your beach memories and what a special gift for your daughter!

LeaMV said...

I use that Lacy Lotus stencil a lot too! One of my favs! I hope your daughter loved it!

Carol Ponsford said...

I love the idea of using tea bags for the background layers. Thanks for sharing!

TerryO said...

I'm sure your daughter will love this beautiful, memory-filled painting. Thanks for sharing it! toneill26 (at) gmail (dot com)