As a local Charleston artist and nature enthusiast, I enjoy our rich coastal beauty and painting all that it has to offer. It is a place I feel inspired by each day. And sometimes inspiration comes in the most unexpected ways.
Years ago, a local business commissioned me to paint a pair of oysters for their elegant space in a historic mansion downtown. The only requests were to meet the size requirement and the space's interior design. Although I hadn't painted oysters before, I'm always up for the challenge of learning something new, and I thought this would be fun because the possibilities were endless!
Serendipitously, as I walked out the door, I noticed what I hadn't earlier: the entrance was surrounded by beds of oyster shells. I picked up one, then the next, and the next... It was the first time I ever really looked at their inner and outer shells. I was enamored with their markings, swirls of colors, and intricacy; each nature's own work of art. Knowing I would be painting them was a new lens to see them though.
When I entered my studio, I plucked canvases, picked two shells, and sketched them with charcoal. I kept the focus on their uniqueness, shape, and beauty. Working with various mediums over the years, I chose to paint these (and any oysters since) in oil paint. It felt so exciting to paint my first pair of oysters! I had them completed within days. Off to the framer's they went, and they have been appreciated in their new space ever since. So, that was my foray into painting these unique coastal beauties.
Since then, I've always wanted to do a really fun pair against a bright pink background, and finally did. The vibrant rose fits in so well with Charleston's color palette. As soon as I began to lay down the rose color, I envisioned them as companion pieces that would look fantastic in dining or living room spaces, a foyer, lobby or even a chic addition to a kitchen.
Companion pieces, Audacious Rose Oysters I & II are bold yet feminine, and delicate in detail. The best part? Each time they are viewed, something new can be seen; from the lines and marks, a hint of shimmer, and lustre of the metallic and pearl paints. They are the perfect blend of art and nature, and definitely playful statement pieces adding a touch of Charleston's coastal charm to any space.