Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Abstraction Study

work in progress 
by Liana Yarckin


I am working on this abstraction of a conch shell using a fracturing technique.  I have been wanting to create paintings of these conch shells that my husband and sons picked from the ocean floor a few years ago.  They are giant and heavy, but, it reminds me of the conch shell my grandparents had in their home long ago in which they used as a door stop.  I was just a toddler and my aunt and grandparents would hold it to my ear and tell me, "if you hold this to your ear, you can hear the ocean."  I think they would even say that, "so even if you are not at the ocean, with this shell, you can always hear the ocean."  Unless that is something I have made up now as an adult.  


I decided to do this abstraction for several reasons.  One, I wanted to capture or remind the viewer of the clear blue moving water in which the shell was found.  Two, isn't their a famous conch shell painting?  Just of the conch shell in the middle of the page.  I googled it, but, could not find it.  If you know which painting I am talking about, please let me know.


About the technique, first I drew the shell using mine as a model.  Then I used one of Pat Kochan's templates to create the abstract pattern over the shell.  She has several templates to chose from, but, when I saw this one, it felt right.  I feel like it echoes both shell and moving water.  We will see where this goes.  So far it has been both fun and challenging to paint.


Thanks for visiting and for your thoughts!  Have a great week wherever you are.

6 comments:

  1. and so far the result is lovely! looking forward to the final painting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anamaria, I have worked on it more and it is both exciting and scary. I am not sure what is going to come of it, though. I hope something I like.

      Delete
  2. When I was little, I also remember having a giant Conch shell held to my ear and being told that if I listened carefully I would hear the sea - and I really did hear it too!
    It's a wonderful abstract! Love it! :0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra, I always love hearing from you. Your positive energy just comes through in your posts and makes me smile. Thanks for sharing.

      Delete
  3. Hello Liana:) We had such a shell at home. I did hear it too. I always loved the colors of the shell, a little bit of pale pink, exactly the colors in your painting! I'm sure this painting will be great when it's finished, I love it already!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renate, thank you so much for your thoughts and encouragement. I am excited to be working on something like this. It is different for me.

      Delete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave your thoughts. I love hearing from you!