Featured Artist Merrin Jeff

One can almost hear the crashing of the waves in these stunning seascapes by artist Merrin Jeff. Catch more of her work by visiting her website.

 

 

I began my journey with oil paints, using texture for my seascapes and a palette knife for the rock formations. My paintings were bold and rugged. Over time, my desired effects, goals and style have changed, but my love for painting the ocean hasn’t.

 

 

I am so fortunate to reside on the southeast coast of Australia where I am only minutes away from the most stunning beaches with the whitest sand and turquoise clear water. This is the source of my inspiration and I am surrounded by its natural beauty.

 

 

I have always enjoyed visiting the beach and the feeling of calm that comes with it. Watching each unique wave gather momentum. Studying it as it emerges from the ocean fully formed, until it finally crashes onto the shore, transforming into trails of sea foam, peacefully soaking into the sand. Each wave has its journey, and so do each of my paintings.

 

 

My desire is to capture the natural power and aggressiveness of the ocean and harmonize this with the feeling of calm that the beach brings.

 

 

My works are detailed and realistic. My goal is to immerse myself and the viewer in the wave. To evoke an emotion, a sensation of being in the moment, of feeling the sea spray on your face and smell the salty air.

 

 

I strive to capture on canvas that peaceful feeling of dabbling your toes in the water as they sink into the sand, all while listening to the melodious sound of each wave as they roll towards you.

 

 

My paintings are an escape from the chaos that is life. They are my escape when I am in the midst of painting a wave, taking months to become fully formed. I lose myself, as each brushstroke has a purpose, a mission to recreate movement even though the painting is still.

 

 

I find that oil paint is so smooth and a dream to blend with. I can use the vibrant colours to show the depth of the water with dark blues and bring the colour up to turquoise in the shallows where the sand is stirred up.

 

 

While I really enjoy using oil, I also paint my smaller artworks in acrylic. These are finished much quicker and have a bright fresh look about them.

 

 

Each one of my artworks is a slice of painted paradise, an escape from our busy lives, a chance to dabble your toes and stay a while. To lose yourself in the moment and have your own personal holiday.

 

Artist Merrin Jeff invites you to follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

 

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