Low Tide finds...

Shells and more shells....

I spent the day with friends on the Southern shore of the Cape in the beautiful area of Osterville. There were so many incredible shells there and I managed to fill up the zip lock very easily. I hope to find time between all the adventures, to drill and make more necklaces/ watercolours soon...

Morning sunrise on my little saltbox...

 

Summer Colour.

Playing with nature...

It's always been a little side dream of mine to work with found shells and other bits of nature on the beach and weaving them into jewelry. I bought a dremel hand drill this summer and spent some great fun hours working with the kids in the cottages around me creating...they were so creative and inspirational...I will post more pictures as more pieces come together...but these were some of the first ones.

On the Cape...

I am spending five weeks on the Cape this summer...heaven. 

It's all completely new to me as I have spent every summer on Block Island for the last (oh- 40 years?), but it was time to shake it up a bit and see what unfolded. Dear friends of mine introduced me to this magical area with a smattering of adorable cottages and the Bay right out our back doors.

I arrived with a few duffel bags and along with some clothes, I managed to fit in three sketchbooks, two watercolour sets, brushes, about four pounds of glass beads, (my new found love of making jewelry), a few pounds of weathered shells I have been collecting from the coasts of Long Island, Block Island and Florida, 200 yards of leather cord, hemp, and many fun craft projects for the kids surrounding me this summer.

I am hoping to get into the watercolours soon, but I have gotten a little distracted...

Passing Through 30 X 24" (sold)

Crates heading East....Studio apron hung up for the summer months...sketchbooks and watercolours packed...off to the Atlantic I go.

Beyond the Bay 12 X 12"

Along the Shore 12 X 12"

Rolling In 6 X 8"

The Cove 6 X 8"

Surge 40 X 42"

noun.

1. A heavy billowing or swelling motion like that of great waves.

2 a. Wave motion with low height and a shorter period than a swell.

b. A coastal rise in water level caused by wind.

3. The forward and backward motion of a ship subjected to wave action.

4. A sudden onrush: a surge of joy.

5. A period of intense effort that improves a competitor's standing, as in a race.

6. A sudden, transient increase or oscillation in electric current or voltage.

Mary Macgill. Artist Extraordinaire.

I had the incredible pleasure and honor to hang out with my friend Mary today who is such a talented and beautifully inspiring jewelry designer. I met her years ago on Block Island...our common thread which binds people without words...and having her here in San Francisco has been such a treat.

I have always wanted to create jewelry alongside my landscapes on canvas and over the years have collected beads, shells (above), and all sorts of random things to possibly "use" one day...

Mary took the time with me to teach me about drilling and all that would go into creating some of these pieces I have in my mind. It is so incredible when like minded artists come together and appreciate each other's talents and learn...one can never stop being inspired. I drilled my first shell today with her and wrapped some leather through it. Just the beginning but looking forward to a summer filled with sketching, watercolours and now some jewelry making---a little more rustic style than Mary's divine work, but hey---it's a start.

Be inspired:

www.marymacgill.com

"Splash" 48 X 50 hanging at A Day in May Design.

In the thick of it...detail of a painting in the works.

Crates of work en route East...

Just a few more weeks to go...

...and I will be back on the Atlantic inspired to paint watercolours, watch sunrises and sunsets, capture moments on my camera, and just - be.