Oyster Roasts and a Paint Brush

Jan 23, 2022
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Painting oysters is almost as much fun as eating them.

I love to paint oysters. About a half dozen from our Christmas bushel made it to the canvas this year. Growing up on a little barrier island along the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, I have been to my fair share of oyster roasts. Crisp air and steaming oysters smell so good. The southern tradition includes friends crowding around the fire and raising their voices in laughter at old familiar tales. This Christmas we had a beautiful bushel of oysters. Here’s to a good season. Get you some! : )

Little watercolor oyster I painted on Christmas Eve this year. Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Christmas Eve Oysters, 6×9, watercolor

While not in the studio, I usually have a sketch bag full of watercolor supplies. Here is a little oyster I painted on Christmas Eve. But of course, some made it to the easel this year. Below is a half-dozen single selects.

Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Single Select with Lemon, oil, 5×7
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Single Oyster on Teal, oil, 5×7
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Single Yellow Stripe, oil, 5×7
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Single with a Squeeze, oil, 4×6
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Suck it up, oil, 5×7
Oyster painting by Michel McNinch
Local Select, oil, 4×6

Interested in going to an oyster roast? Here’s a list to 5 Annual roasts you may enjoy:

https://pamharringtonexclusives.com/blog/5-of-the-best-annual-oyster-roasts-in-charleston-sc/

Come along! Join me in my painting practice by following my weekly blog posts.

Thank you. Michel McNinch

P. S. Let me hear your art histories. [email protected]

Posted in

8 Comments

  1. Virginia on January 23, 2022 at 1:03 pm

    Lovely collection! My father loved oysters and clams! So happily standing over a barrel and shucking away, for himself and others. Unfortunately I am allergic to both. But not to paintings!



    • Michel on January 23, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      So glad those memories came back to you. Love an oyster roast.



  2. Betsy Kaemmerlen on January 24, 2022 at 9:39 am

    I actually really don’t like oysters to eat, but LOVE their shells… Prudence Island RI used to raise them commercially in floating beds, but my interest was collecting the most frilly shells on the shore. Just give me a soft shell clam any day!!!



    • Michel McNinch on January 24, 2022 at 11:07 am

      I didn’t even know there was such a thing as a soft shell clam! New item for the bucket list.



      • Jeannie Irvin on January 25, 2022 at 12:15 pm

        NOBODY and I mean NOBODY can paint oysters like you!!!! I love to smell them and eat them🥰 But, when I can’t smell them and eat them I can gaze upon my oyster YOU painted for me and ALMOST smell them and taste them! Thanks for making this happen!!! I LOVE YOUR OYSTER 🦪 PAINTINGS and look forward to adding fellow oyster paintings to my solo one!🦪🖼



        • Michel McNinch on January 25, 2022 at 12:59 pm

          Thank you, Thank you! Your love and support is an inspiration.



  3. Rhett' on January 25, 2022 at 3:03 pm

    Now I am so hungry for some roasted oysters!!! Love, Rhett



    • Michel McNinch on January 25, 2022 at 7:28 pm

      Me Too!



Share this post

Recent Posts

Consistent blog posting took a hit; missed 3 weeks! My sincere apologies. My painting had me under its spell. This painting is one that has long been on my mind and in my “to be painted” file. I kept thinking it would be finished for the week’s blog post, but it wasn’t. But it is ready for you now…. “The Stitches we Know,” oil, 24x30 - Collection of the Artist The subject of the painting is my niece, Bek (a/k/a Rebekah). She was taking down her childhood room and is transitioning to her adult life. I found it poignant that her elementary days are represented and the family’s ancestral home is there as well with the picture of the widow’s walk. There are hints to her siblings and even the family’s favorite meal her Mama makes. The photo was taken as a message to me. She is holding up a granny square I crocheted for her (my stitches) while wearing a t-shirt with her “Stitch” on it. We know and think different things, but we share them with each other. So, as you can see this painting brings up many things to my heart and mind. But now dear viewer, I leave it to you. Please enjoy it however you wish. There is a video on my YouTube page that shows the process used to completed the painting. Please take a moment to view it. I have reached my first goal of 25 subscribers (no snickering!). My new goal is 100! Please share if you know anyone who would be interested in seeing the work. Insert link to YouTube Thank you for following my painting practice. It is my hope you will enjoy learning about art from a working artist’s perspective. Next up on the easel is my beloved Robert! Stay tuned. Also, completing this painting for an upcoming show. (Insert Vista Lights link.). Hashtags #Stormwaterstudios #Vistalights #holidayseason #Stitch #stitches #childhood #adulthood #oilpainting #michelmcninch #paintwhoyoulove #artlovers #paintinglovers #theviewer #figurativepainting
"Blue Mesa Memory," 24x48, oil on canvas. This is the final painting. It has been in my studio on and off the easel for a long time. It is finally ready to sing it's song.
Subscribe Now