Malia Pettit

Distant Shores, Oil Painting

2020

Artist Comments
Two models in vintage bathing suits, one with a red swim cap, pose together on a sandy beach. "The overall color scheme is deliberately earthy and muted, with just a few shouts of color in her suit and the turquoise strip of water on the horizon," says Malia. She paired carefully rendered portrait features with loose brushwork to build a nostalgic and somewhat moody atmosphere.

About the Artist
Malia Pettit sees her artistic process as an act of “liberating the paint” and “allowing for the unexpected to occur.” Her portraits of women stem from a fascination with glossy magazines and their portrayal of models, actors and celebrities. Her work has been especially influenced by Chantal Joffe and John Singer Sargent. She currently lives in California after having lived in England for ten years. When she’s not painting, she is a full-time mom and enjoys exploring estate sales, antique stores and used bookstores.

Words that describe this painting: portrait, beach, women, swimsuits, bathing suits, vintage, Milt Kobayashi, Michael Carson , summer, ocean, seascape, sunbathing, models, people, fashion, representational, vintage, oil painting, beige

Distant Shores
Malia Pettit
Oil painting on stretched canvas
Finished white edges
Ready to hang
One-of-a-kind
Signed on back
2020
30 in. h x 24 in. w x 1.5 in. d
2 lbs. 12 oz.