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Shell Art - by Beth Basista
How I got started: Several years ago I wanted to create a painting with turtles headed out to sea but wanted to the turtles a 3D to be in 3D to encourage the viewer to touch them. At first I used modeling paste and created my "Under the Sea Painting" but this time I thought it might be easier to glue a seashell to form the turtle. While searching through my shells I found the right shell to make the turtles back and then glued smaller shells to create its feet. After seeing how cute it turned out I decided not to cover them with modeling paste and instead glue them right onto the painting. Years have gone by and I've used the same approach to create fish, and even a seahorse. I even painted a mermaid holding shell flowers and moved on to adding what I call sea treasures to my paintings too. Sea treasures can be starfish, sand dollars, sea grass and more I've collected while at the beach. I've enjoyed teaching friends how to make shell flowers for their own 3D shadowbox creations.
Turtles Scramble to the Sea
I painted my beach onto a canvas board and added modeling paste so that I encourage the viewer to touch it! After it dried, I added the three turtles within the frame. Next I added a coat of epoxy & after it dried I added two more turtles to complete my composition.
Making turtles turns out to be the easiest of all shell animals. If trying to make one, be sure to refer to this photo while at the beach so that you choose shells that match.
#BethBasistaShellArt, #ShellTurtles, #seaturtles
Shelly watching the Sunset
22-119-0317 11 x 14 Acrylics & Mixed Media
Had fun painting this Mermaid with several of my artist friends - each using our own unique painting styles that made each unique. For this mixed media painting, I used acrylics and added metallic acrylics to enhance the mermaid’s tail and add sparkle to the reflections in the sea. After I finished the painting I added the flowers I made from sea shells I found on Sanibel Island and a piece of grass I found for her head band. I made sure I shot this photo before I added an epoxy finish that add added a finishing touch that seals everything in place knowing it might cause interfering reflections. Next, I plan to paint a fish or maybe a sea turtle and whenever I’m at the beach I’ll search for items I can add to my shell art collection.
#mermaidpaintings, #shellart, #sunsetpainting
Sea Shore Treasures
For this mixed media paintings, I used acrylics to paint my beach scene, then added a variety of shells that “washed ashore” and sea grass. I love how Coquina shells made great butterflies.
#shells, #sanibelshells, #shelling, #seaoats, #starfish
Seahorse Shell Art
After painting the background to look “under the sea” I added some sea treasures consisting of shells and plants that I found washed ashore.
Once complete I added a layer of epoxy to permanently preserve it forever and allow viewers to touch without it coming apart.
#BethBasistaShellArt, #Seahorseshellart, #shellart
Sea Creatures
To create this one, I first painting an under-the-sea painting using acrylics. Next I glued together a turtle, fish and seahorse. After placing them & gluing them where I like them, I added a variety of shells and seagrass I found washed ashore. After securing it using epoxy, I had fun painting the bubbles and water movement. I just love my kissing fish and hope to create another painting using two of them kissing! Shell art is as creative as your imagination and it makes it worth planning a trip to Sanibel Island, known for having an abundance of shells.
#shellart, #BethBasistashellart, #seahorse, #kissing fish, #seaturtle
Turtles racing to the sea
24-177-04 –Turtles Racing to the Sea 20x24
I spent hours at the beach, hunting for shells and sea treasures I used to create this mixed media shell art painting. After washing my shells, I separated them by size and type and placed them in baggies to keep them organized. On a canvas board, I created my painting of the beach using acrylics and modeling paste. Next, I framed it and glued along the edges on the backside so that the final epoxy coating wouldn’t seep through. Next I placed a variety of sea treasures where created my sea turtles and after organizing my composition I glued everything in place. Next I used modeling paste and gel to form the 3-D waves. I added a little white paint for hilights and then waited for everything to dry. Finally I added a coat of epoxy that dares the observer not to touch. Because many ask, I believe the item at bottom left is a Welk shell egg casing. Please email beth@bethbasistapaintings.com if you know it’s a different shell casing. This Shell art will be available for sale at my upcoming exhibit at Fellows Riverside Gardens Weller Gallery throughout the month of September 2024.
Wave Crashing
I handled this painting a little different. After I created my wave crashing onto the beach, I framed it and then glued a variety of shells onto the bottom of the frame.
Shell Friends
I referred to Pinterest for this one & then searched for shells that would make my shell gals. I discovered its hardest finding broken shells to form arms and legs. For the next one I’m planning to add a dog!
Happy Mother’s Day
If planning to make shell flowers, this is a good photo to come back and see before going shelling. This way you can see the type of shells needed to make a variety of flowers. Have fun!
I think this shell art picture frame had to be one of my best Mother’s Day gifts I gave to my Mother a few years ago. A photo of her with my dad made it a treasured gift. Besides my husband, she was my biggest fan and would get so excited and expressive when she saw my latest painting. Of course she was biased - but wow - her genuine excitement meant so much as any artist can relate to. She passed away in April 2024 and I’m missing her love and encouraging words. I’m so glad I made this shell art so that it is included on my website and can encourage other shell artists to make one for someone they love.
#shellflowers, #shelling
Shell Florals and Shell Animals Carousel (click on photos to see it go to the next)
The following photo gallery displays a variety of shell art I’ve made over the past few years. I enjoy placing a painted shell at the beach near a child I see shelling and watching as they pick it up and show to their parent. I add an inspirational message on the back and hope the shell becomes a souvenir reminding them of having fun at the beach. Click on the photos to see the Carousel of photos.
