Broken Seashell

Broken Seashell by Kristine Kainer

Oil

40 x 30 x 1.5 inches

Purchase Information

This broken seashell (possibly a gulf drill shell) was found along the beaches of Galveston, Texas during a family vacation.  Only 2.75 inches in actual size, I decided to paint an enormous realistic version.  I must say, I am pleased with the results and can't wait to find more broken shells on an upcoming trip to the beach.

www.kristinekainer.com

Green-Lipped Mussel Shell

Green-Lipped Mussel Shell by Kristine Kainer

Oil

6x6

Purchase Information

The contents of this green-lipped mussel shell were enjoyed at a recent excursion to a nearby seafood restaurant/raw bar.  Also known as the greenshell mussel, it is from New Zealand.  I must say that, despite its long journey to Texas, it was incredibly meaty and juicy.  Flavored with a little bit of garlic butter, I was in heaven.  Of course, upon seeing both the inside and outside of the shells, I had to abscond with a few (wrapped in a napkin) in my purse to to immortalize later as paintings.  Here is my first attempt.

www.kristinekainer.com

Purple Oyster Shell

© Kristine Kainer 2014

6x6

Oil on Canvas
SOLD

This is a special oyster shell for an obvious reason:  the smooth inner shell (also known as the Mother of Pearl or nacre) is mostly purple.  Nature is full of surprises.  One just needs to pay attention....

Available Paintings:  

eBay

Etsy

Website

Fine Art America Prints

#texasartist #coastalart #beachart #oysters

Kristine Kainer

AOT, AWA

KristineKainer.com

Gallery Links:

UGallery

Framer's Gallery

Oyster Shell

© Kristine Kainer 2014

Size

Oil on Canvas
Purchase Information

As many of you know, I love to eat shellfish, then take the shells home in a doggy bag.  Recently, I was visiting my father in Florida and had the opportunity to dine on the freshest shellfish daily.  Unfortunately, bringing the shells back to his house, then lugging them home on the plane was not an option.  Thank goodness I had my handy dandy iPhone camera at the ready!  Here's to my model, somewhere in Florida.... You will always be remembered!  

Available Paintings:  

eBay

Etsy

Website

Fine Art America Prints

#texasartist #coastalart #beachart #oysters

Kristine Kainer

AOT, AWA, CFAI

KristineKainer.com

Gallery Links:

UGallery

Framer's Gallery

Sand Dollar

Oil on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

40 x 30 x 1.5

Purchase Information

This sand dollar was found while beachcombing near Galveston, Texas.  In folklore, these skeletal remains of sea urchins were thought to be the lost coins of mermaids.  I wish I had known that when my daughter was younger and the world was filled with magic and wonder!

Oyster Shell

Oil on Canvas Panel (Museum Grade)

6x6

SOLD

Another oyster.  Another delicious meal last month--slathered in cocktail sauce, horseradish (can anyone find "Gold's Horseradish" in their supermarkets?  I MUST HAVE SOME!), and the squirt of a lemon.  Briny goodness....

Sand Dollar

Oil on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

20x16

Purchase Information

With temperatures already in the upper 90s in Central Texas, my thoughts turn to the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the beach.  Oh, to feel the sand between my toes!  

Oyster on the Half Shell

Oil on Belgian Linen Panel (Museum Grade) 

6"x6"

Purchase Information

This little gem of the sea was served to me at The Deckhand, an oyster bar in Round Rock, Texas. Fresh from the waters of Galveston, I had to immortalize its luscious beauty prior to devouring it with a squeeze of lemon and horseradish. The other patrons must have thought I was insane as I took pictures galore before allowing anyone in my family to touch the platter! (My family, of course, knows the routine.) By the way, it was delicious....

Gulf Oyster Shell

Oil

20x20

Available

There is nothing like slurping down freshly shucked oysters at the beach -- with lots of sand between your toes!  Alas, in Austin, I must sit at an oyster bar.  At least my car won't get sandy....

Miniature Painting - Conch Shell

Acrylic on Bristol Series 300

2.5 x 3.5

SOLD

This conch shell was actually found on the dirt floor of one of our barns in Central Texas!  I wonder what stories it could tell....

Miniature Painting/ACEO Art Card - Sand Dollar No. 2

Acrylic on Bristol Series 300

3.5 x 2.5

SOLD

Still missing the beach; I'm getting good mileage out of this sand dollar!

Miniature Painting/ACEO Art Card - Sand Dollar No. 1

Acrylic on Bristol Series 300

2.5 x 3.5

SOLD

I'm dreaming of the beach again.  We weren't able to go to the coast this summer and I'm suffering from withdrawal symptoms as a result.  This little sand dollar (from one I found near the surf in Galveston) certainly helps ease the suffering!

Miniature Painting/Art Card #13 - Mussel Shell

Mussel Shell

Acrylic on Bristol Series 300

3.5 x 2.5

SOLD

I am craving some fresh mussels.  Alas, the Gulf of Mexico does not provide these tasty mollusks.  Thus, I must either relish the memories of my life back East or buy frozen mussels in a grocery store.  I prefer the former....

Mussels No. 2

Oil on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

10x10x1-3/8

Available

 

Another delicacy from the sea....  These are difficult to obtain here in Central Texas.  I occassionally spend big bucks to buy a bag from our monopolizing grocery store in Georgetown; unfortunately, there is always a death rate of 50% or higher.  Those odds aren't worth the cost. Let's not even discuss the frozen options!  Thus, I must live with my memories of the East Coast and the shells I saved from shellfish feasts gone bye....

Clam Shell No. 4

Friday, November 9, 2012

KRISTINE KAINER: Clam Shell No. 4

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

10x10x1-3/8

Available

Imagine digging for clams in the surf with your tootsies; then prying them open with your handy dandy knife to enjoy the salty, delectable morsel within. In memory of clams on the half shell!

Sand Dollar

Oil on canvas panel (museum grade)

6x6

Available

Recently, I spent a week in Galveston. Envision this: A small beachfront cottage on the western edge of the island. Few tourists (other than my family of three and two small fluffy pooches). A deck that runs the length of the cottage, parallel to the beach. Large windows overlooking the Gulf. Easy access to the sand and surf. A balmy breeze. The beginnings of a magnificent sandcastle started on the afternoon we arrived. Rain. Yes, rain. Lots of it. On day #2. For the duration of the trip.
The ground was saturated. The sandcastle "melted." The fluffsters were drenched. The aroma of "wet dog" mingled with the salty sea air. Eight of the nine bottles of sunblock we packed remain unopened.
This sand dollar evokes dreams of a sunny beach vacation. Next year....

Website: www.kristinekainer.com

Oyster with Lemon No. 2

Oil on canvas panel, 6x6--SOLD

Mussel on the Beach

Acrylic on Panel, 6x6--SOLD

This is yet another one of my "3-D" art pieces, using acrylic modeling paste, fine garnet gel, and heavy gloss varnish for the surfaces of the water and mussel. I love the uneven surface and resulting texture--definitely a painting meant to be enjoyed through sight and touch.

A Painting's Background

As I gain experience in the "Daily Painting" genre, I am learning that "backgrounds count." I truly thought that, if the subject was glorious, the background was superfluous. I was wrong. In the past two weeks, I have changed four backgrounds--two for clients and two for myself. I must admit, these changes made a world of difference.

Above is "Shark Eye Shell, No. 2" with the original, blackish background. I had it on eBay a couple of weeks ago, but it didn't sell. I even received a comment that it looked too ominous with such a foreboding background, even though the shell was nearly perfect. I hung it in my home and pondered that correspondence. She was right.

The new version is below the original, now with a bluish tinge (reminiscent of tumbled sea glass). Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I think this is a vast improvement.... Any thoughts on the matter?

Abalone Shell

This abalone shell was the most difficult shell I've ever attempted. Any time I changed position (I paint these on the floor or on my lap), the colors would shift. Maybe I should try some of those iridescent paints that are on the market to more closely mimic reality. SOLD