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InspirationArt & Culture

Krista Skehan's colourful paintings that collide with a love of California coastal cool

San Francisco-based Krista Skehan is a designer and artist whose obsession with colour has collided with her love for Californian coastal cool.

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All images courtesy of Krista Skehan

All images courtesy of Krista Skehan

She paints "life-on-the-beach" that's bold, bright, wildly playful, and crave-worthy – from umbrella-popping seascapes and beach vibes to poolside poses, tidelines, tanlines and crazy colourful bathing beauties.

"I am an unapologetic expressive. I paint because, on an atomic level, it energises and stretches me," says Krista. "It is the most fulfilling kind of hard work. It brings up questions of talent, growth, longing and memories. When I feel something, I want to experience it in an artistic and expressive way. I want to share that experience with people because I am inspired when that kind of out-pouring of love and life is shared with me."

Based in Menlo Park, California with her husband Dan and two daughters Molly and Emily, Krista is also the owner and creative director at creative studio, Personify. You can discover more of her California artworks at kristaskehan.com or follow her on Instagram.

Four colourful figures in vibrant swimwear and head wraps stand together against a bright blue poolside backdrop in Krista Skehan's playful painting
Woman in a large yellow and white sun hat and blue swimsuit wading in turquoise ocean water against a pale blue sky
Vibrant striped banana leaves in greens, blues and yellows painted against a soft pink sky in an expressive style
Aerial view of a colourful beach scene with umbrellas, beach towels and swimmers scattered across sand meeting turquoise waves with white foam
Woman in colourful striped swimsuit and wide-brimmed hat with rainbow segments posed against vertical rainbow stripes, arms raised to head
Aerial view of a beach with turquoise waves, white sand and rows of blue umbrellas with colourful accents
Overhead view of figures in red swim caps playing with colourful beach balls by a bright turquoise swimming pool
Two blonde women in sunglasses stand on a sunny beach lined with loungers and yellow umbrellas under a clear blue sky
Aerial view of a turquoise ocean with white waves and sandy beach, painted with colourful umbrellas floating above in Krista Skehan's characteristic bright, playful style
Vibrant painted palm frond with layered leaves in shades of yellow, green, blue and turquoise against a coral pink background
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