Wonderful text and images! I have jars and boxes of shells found on the beaches near me and I treasure them all, especially some of the old wave worn broken ones. I probably should give them back to the sea though and collect new ones.
Thanks so much, Lynne. I'm a firm believer in bringing nature indoors and more fully into our lives. Returning that which is more than we need or items we are done with back to nature is also a good thing.
There are two general approaches to observation: the first is being open to what is there and taking in that which catches our attention; the second is more focused, looking for something specific. You clearly embrace the first approach when walking on the beach. And I bet you have some wonderful finds! Thanks for sharing, Susanne.
I have been collecting broken shells and sketching them daily as starts for daily painting in my sketchbook. The sketches sometimes get mostly lost in layers of paint, but they are a great start. Perfect intact shells don’t have the same intrigue. Every beach here Eureka in Northern California, has it’s own personality and we find different things at each one.
I do agree with you about the “perfect” shells. They are beautiful, but those that have aged have so much more character. Love that you sketch and then paint them. One of my favorite memories of the Northern California coast is the tidal pools and large, colorful sea stars. I’d like to get back out there to see that again. Thanks so much for sharing, Darla!
Galveston has some interesting spots and a lot of historic buildings. If you do come, please stay in my guest house for a few days and explore Houston. I would love to see you and so would Christi!
We have a small cottage in Davis Park, one of the 17 towns on Fire Island. My wife walks the beach each morning and comes home with a few pieces of beach glass and small shells. It is a bit of a meditative walk. For me, I bring my camera and shoot the sculptures left by the Atlantic each night, from seaweed to shells and rocks I always find something interesting. A peaceful place so close to NYC. All the best. Rick Simon
I love collecting shells. Obsessed really. Last fall at Jekyll we walked the beach every morning at sunrise. We collected sand dollars whelks and clam shells. I love how the beach looks different every morning... the patterns in the sand... but the shells weee always there. Thank you for sharing your images!!
Thanks so much, Linda. Jekyll is just a few islands north of here and I am always amazed at how what washes ashore can be so different from one island to the next (in addition to how it changes from day to day). I rarely find sand dollars here on Amelia. It is a special day when I do!
I love whelks! There are many on Galveston beach from teeny tiny to medium size. Have a bunch around my Buddha in the back yard. Thanks for sharing these images!
Thanks so much, Barb. One of these days, I must get to Galveston. The idea of Texas and beaches has never quite computed in my head. I bet it is lovely!
Wonderful text and images! I have jars and boxes of shells found on the beaches near me and I treasure them all, especially some of the old wave worn broken ones. I probably should give them back to the sea though and collect new ones.
Thanks so much, Lynne. I'm a firm believer in bringing nature indoors and more fully into our lives. Returning that which is more than we need or items we are done with back to nature is also a good thing.
I collect pretty much everything that catches my eye: sea glass, shells, pebbles and driftwood. So many little treasure to find on beaches!
There are two general approaches to observation: the first is being open to what is there and taking in that which catches our attention; the second is more focused, looking for something specific. You clearly embrace the first approach when walking on the beach. And I bet you have some wonderful finds! Thanks for sharing, Susanne.
I have been collecting broken shells and sketching them daily as starts for daily painting in my sketchbook. The sketches sometimes get mostly lost in layers of paint, but they are a great start. Perfect intact shells don’t have the same intrigue. Every beach here Eureka in Northern California, has it’s own personality and we find different things at each one.
I do agree with you about the “perfect” shells. They are beautiful, but those that have aged have so much more character. Love that you sketch and then paint them. One of my favorite memories of the Northern California coast is the tidal pools and large, colorful sea stars. I’d like to get back out there to see that again. Thanks so much for sharing, Darla!
I like those too. Might be great to photograph indoors.
Thanks, Ann. And yes, these were all photographed in my studio on a light box for the white background and soft boxes for front lighting.
Galveston has some interesting spots and a lot of historic buildings. If you do come, please stay in my guest house for a few days and explore Houston. I would love to see you and so would Christi!
Thanks, Barb. That’s very kind of you. It would be a treat to see you and Christi, and to see Galveston through your eyes.
We have a small cottage in Davis Park, one of the 17 towns on Fire Island. My wife walks the beach each morning and comes home with a few pieces of beach glass and small shells. It is a bit of a meditative walk. For me, I bring my camera and shoot the sculptures left by the Atlantic each night, from seaweed to shells and rocks I always find something interesting. A peaceful place so close to NYC. All the best. Rick Simon
Sounds fabulous, Rick! And, yes, the patterns left in the sand truly are ephemeral sculptures. They are among my favorite subjects, as well.
I love collecting shells. Obsessed really. Last fall at Jekyll we walked the beach every morning at sunrise. We collected sand dollars whelks and clam shells. I love how the beach looks different every morning... the patterns in the sand... but the shells weee always there. Thank you for sharing your images!!
Thanks so much, Linda. Jekyll is just a few islands north of here and I am always amazed at how what washes ashore can be so different from one island to the next (in addition to how it changes from day to day). I rarely find sand dollars here on Amelia. It is a special day when I do!
No shells here but I am also drawn to the weathered and imperfect. Thanks for sharing.
What, no beaches in Colorado? Ah, but you have mountains and snow! Thanks, Hollie.
I love whelks! There are many on Galveston beach from teeny tiny to medium size. Have a bunch around my Buddha in the back yard. Thanks for sharing these images!
Barb
Thanks so much, Barb. One of these days, I must get to Galveston. The idea of Texas and beaches has never quite computed in my head. I bet it is lovely!
Thanks, George. I am always intrigued by how much personality each one has.