Shell shocked

I don't know about you but I'm fascinated at the evolution of artworks - whether they are my own or someone else's. I've tried to document "the making of a collage" but discovered it takes far too many photos and seriously interrupts the process. So, I'll try to summarize this one - as briefly as possible.

The bathing beauties from Peterson's Magazine were set aside to use in the Grand Tour series, then, I changed my mind. I sensed they were destined for something else but wasn't sure what. So, I tossed them in with spring and summer illustrations. When I pulled them out again, I knew I wanted a summer piece. At the start, there was much more of the original print with the sea and shells behind it.

Then, as I sorted a cache of new papers, I spotted the shell-strewn sand and blazing sky. Additional background was trimmed until, well, the women were completely cut out. The bottom of the print was saved to incorporate the caption. Shell engravings from "The Popular Educator" (1884) and "The People's Cyclopedia of Universal Knowledge" (1881) were going to be cut out and piled around their feet, then, it hit me that they should be part of their bathing suits. 5.5" x 8.5" on archival mat board with ink and watercolor. {SOLD}

Note: I'll probably add watercolors or ink to the top edge of the caption to help it blend into the shells a bit more.