Author Archives: Maria - FlowingWatersArt

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About Maria - FlowingWatersArt

I'm a self-taught mixed media artist and have been creating art and a positive atmosphere in my life for as long as I can remember. I live in sunny South Florida, which serves as my inspiration for my use of bright fun colors with a whimsical flair. My goal is to inspire and empower you to find your inner happiness through creativity, as I have in my life. This website includes different tips and techniques that will hopefully inspire your inner muse to create. Welcome and join me on a wonderful journey in creating art!

Explore Silent Radiance and Gentle Currents: New Art Debuts

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  • Silent Radiance
  • Gentle Currents

Two new pieces have just arrived in my Etsy Shop—meet Silent Radiance and Gentle Currents! 💛

These abstracts are part of a series inspired by childhood memories of growing up on a lake. That sense of quiet water, shifting light, and gentle movement continues to influence my work today. I find so much joy in the spontaneity of watercolor—watching pigments blend, soften, and settle into their own rhythm on the page.

Across each painting, a horizon of light draws the eye, bringing warmth and balance to the composition.

Silent Radiance carries layers of serene greens and cool blues, crossed by that luminous band of gold—evoking the meeting of land, water, and sky in a calm, reflective moment. Gentle Currents flows with a similar palette, its movement feeling a bit more fluid and meandering, as if the water itself is quietly in motion.

While each painting tells its own story, together they create a shared sense of place—different moments within the same calm, unfolding landscape.

If you’re looking to bring a touch of calm and inspiration into your space, you can find Silent Radiance and Gentle Currents in my Etsy Shop. I hope they bring a little light and a sense of wonder into your day!

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Life Lessons: What I Would Tell My Younger Self

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If you could sit down with your younger self for just a moment… what would you say?

Not to change the past. Just to share what life has quietly taught you.

Here’s what I would say.

Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Bad days happen. Learn from them and move on. Tomorrow brings another sunrise and another chance.

Forgive — especially yourself.
Holding onto guilt or resentment only keeps you stuck. Give yourself grace. Growth comes from learning, not perfection.

Be yourself.
Stop comparing. You were never meant to live someone else’s life. Your uniqueness is your strength.

Don’t argue with someone who isn’t listening.
As Brendon Burchard wisely noted, when someone starts by saying, “No, you don’t understand,” they’ve already decided not to hear you. Protect your peace instead of proving your point.

Never burn bridges.
You never know when paths will cross again. Leave situations with dignity whenever possible.

What you give comes back.
Kindness attracts kindness. Positivity creates more positivity. The energy you put into the world has a way of returning.

And my favorite rule:
If you wouldn’t feel proud telling Mom and Dad what you’re doing… you probably shouldn’t be doing it.

At the end of each day, I ask myself one simple question:

“Was I the best person God sent me here to be today?”

Some days the answer is yes. Some days it’s no. But every day is another opportunity to try again. What would you tell your younger self?

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I truly appreciate you being here, and I hope you have a happy, wonderful, and inspiring day ahead.

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Explore Golden Stillness and Quiet Horizons: New Art Debuts

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I shared these paintings with you recently on my blog, and now they’ve officially made their debut in my Etsy Shop — meet Golden Stillness and Quiet Horizons! 💛

These abstracts were inspired by my childhood growing up on a lake, where we swam almost every day. I love the spontaneity of watercolors, letting the pigments move, blend, and find their own rhythm. For a little pop of light, I added a golden band stretching across each painting like a quiet horizon catching the sun, bringing warmth and balance to the composition.

Golden Stillness invites a moment of pause, with deep, grounding blues and dreamy greens drifting above. Quiet Horizons has a brighter, more playful energy, with lively greens in motion and a golden glow that feels like sunlight dancing on water.

Though each painting tells its own story, together they feel like two glimpses of the same serene landscape — a peaceful world hidden inside the paint.

If you’d like to bring a little calm and inspiration into your own space, you can see Golden Stillness and Quiet Horizons in my Etsy Shop. I hope these pieces spark joy and a sense of wonder in your day!

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Awaken Your Creativity This Spring

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Spring has a way of waking the world — and us — from our winter slumber. The air feels lighter, the sunlight warmer, and life seems to hum with possibility. There’s something about this season that invites creativity to bloom alongside the first flowers.

Even small changes in the natural world can spark big ideas. A budding branch, the scent of fresh grass, or the sound of rain on new leaves can nudge us to explore, experiment, and create. Spring reminds us that growth is both visible and quiet, and that every day holds the potential for something new.

This season is a gentle invitation to:

  • Start a new project you’ve been thinking about
  • Revisit old ideas with fresh eyes
  • Experiment without pressure or expectation
  • Allow yourself to be inspired by the world around you

Creative energy is not just about output — it’s about noticing, feeling, and responding to the life around you. Spring’s vitality encourages us to shed the old, step into new rhythms, and embrace curiosity with openness and joy.

Even a few moments spent observing, sketching, journaling, or simply walking outside can recharge your creative spirit. By syncing with the season’s energy, we allow our own ideas and passions to blossom.

Take a moment today to notice something new in your surroundings. Let it inspire you — a page in your journal, a sketch, or a small creative experiment. Share your spring-inspired creation or insight in the comments — I’d love to see what blooms for you.

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope this fresh season fills your days with inspiration, joy, and creative energy — may your day be absolutely wonderful.

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Embracing Watercolor: The Dance of Color and Texture

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Sometimes a painting begins with a plan…
and sometimes it begins with color.

These two abstract watercolors began with flowing blues and vibrant greens, letting the pigments move and blend naturally across the paper. I added a glowing band of golden yellow, slightly off center, letting it find its own place within the composition.

The effect feels like a quiet horizon catching the light — a small, intentional touch that brings warmth and balance to each piece.

There’s something calming about that moment in the process, when the colors begin to suggest a place — almost like discovering a landscape hidden inside the paint.

Painting One (pictured left)

This piece feels soft and reflective to me.

• Deep blues gather toward the bottom like water catching the light
• A warm golden band glows across the painting like a quiet horizon
• Above it, drifting greens and blues create a misty, dreamlike sky

It reminds me of those peaceful moments when everything slows down and the world feels still.

Painting Two (pictured right)

This painting has a slightly different energy.

• Rich greens move more freely across the page
• The glowing yellow horizon feels brighter and more defined
• Soft textures below create the feeling of light shimmering across water

Even though these paintings were created separately, they feel connected — like two glimpses of the same peaceful place at different moments in time.

That’s one of the things I love about watercolor. The paint often leads the way, revealing scenes and moods you didn’t expect when you first picked up the brush.

Now I’m curious…

What do you see when you look at these paintings?
A quiet lake? Rolling hills? A distant shoreline?

I hope you enjoyed sharing this creative moment with me. Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderful, magical day!

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Turning Setbacks into Growth Opportunities

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Setbacks are rarely part of the plan.

They arrive unexpectedly — a disappointment, a delay, a moment when things simply don’t go the way we hoped. In those moments, it’s easy to feel discouraged or question our path.

But setbacks often carry something hidden within them: the opportunity to grow.

Growth doesn’t always come from success. More often, it comes from learning how to move forward when things feel uncertain.

A setback can become an invitation to pause and ask:

  • What can I learn from this?
  • Is there another direction waiting to be explored?
  • What strength am I discovering in myself right now?

Sometimes a closed door redirects us toward something better aligned with who we are becoming.

In creative life — and in life itself — mistakes, rejections, and unexpected detours are not failures. They are part of the process. They teach patience, resilience, and flexibility. They remind us that progress isn’t always linear.

Turning setbacks into growth doesn’t mean ignoring disappointment. It means allowing space to feel it, then choosing curiosity instead of defeat.

Every challenge holds the possibility of a new beginning.

Think about a recent setback. What did it teach you? I’d love to hear your reflections in the comments.

Thank you for spending a few moments here today. May you find strength in your challenges and inspiration in unexpected places.

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Exploring Abstract Watercolor: A Journey of Color

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I recently finished this new abstract watercolor and couldn’t wait to share it with you 💜💙

This piece began as pure play—no plan, no rules—just letting the watercolors flow and seeing where they wanted to go. Soft violets and calming blues gradually layered together, forming shapes and textures that felt peaceful, almost like a quiet horizon or a gentle moment of stillness at the end of a long day.

One of the things I love most about abstract art is that it’s open to interpretation. Everyone sees something different, and there’s no “right” answer—only feeling. Some might see a landscape, others might feel a mood, and sometimes it’s just the colors themselves that speak.

For me, this painting was a reminder of the joy in letting go, of exploring without expectations, and of finding calm in the simple act of painting. It’s these small, playful experiments that keep my creativity flowing and my love for watercolor alive.

I’d love to know—what do you see or feel when you look at it?

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

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Honorable Mention in Somerset Studio Magazine for My Accordion Art Journal

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I have some exciting news to share with you. The other day while browsing in Barnes & Noble, I came across the latest issue of Stampington’s Somerset Studio Magazine. Late last year I submitted my accordion art journal for their “With Flying Color” Challenge, so imagine my surprise when I discovered that my piece received an honorable mention!

While I didn’t have an article published this time, photos of my art journal appear on pages 142–143, which was such a wonderful moment to see.

Sometimes creativity has a beautiful way of lifting our spirits, and seeing my journal in print thanks to Stampington Somerset Studio was such a bright moment this week—a wonderful reminder of the joy of creating.

This week has been an emotional one for me after losing my sweet Chanel just a few days ago. Seeing my colorful journal layout unexpectedly in the magazine felt like a little ray of light right when I needed it most. The happy colors and playful design instantly made me think of her and brought a smile to my heart.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you have a wonderfully creative weekend ahead! 🎨✨

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Chanel: A Story of Love and Resilience

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I have three beautiful American Cocker Spaniels — Chanel (13), Rosie (3), and Sadie (1.5). Chanel was a fun-loving pooch who was crazy about swimming, running, and especially playing ball. If her toy landed in the pool, she’d give you that look… “Someone has to get it — please let it be me!” Sometimes she’d even “accidentally” drop it in herself just to go swimming. 😂

At only three years old, Chanel lost her vision. In the beginning, she bumped into walls and would sit down with a deep sigh of frustration. It broke my heart. But just a few days later, something incredible happened — she began mapping the house using her nose, carefully learning every room and space. Before long, she moved confidently through life again.

Swimming no longer felt safe for her, yet she never stopped playing fetch. At the command “listen,” she would pause, focus on the sound of the ball, and run confidently to retrieve it every time. People were always surprised to learn she was completely blind — she never allowed it to slow her down or define her spirit.

She was the matriarch of our family, always making sure everyone was safe and accounted for. Despite everything she faced, Chanel chose joy every single day. She became my reminder to stay positive and focus on what truly matters. I feel incredibly blessed to have had her in my life and to have learned so much from her — about resilience, unconditional love, and finding happiness no matter the circumstances.

This past Monday, 3/2/26, Chanel went to heaven.

She is deeply missed, and though there have been many tears, I know she would want to be remembered for her playful spirit, her courage, and her endless joy.

Take time to slow down and cherish the moments you share with those you love — furry or human. Life moves quickly, and the magic is happening right now.

💖 I know the angels have Chanel, and she’s running free again — forever loved, forever remembered, forever in our hearts. 💖

“Dogs are not our whole lives, but they make our lives whole.” ~ Roger Caras

Exploring Watercolor Techniques: A Creative Journey

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Lately, I’ve been spending time simply learning — and honestly, it has been such a refreshing experience.

These two small watercolor pieces came from practice sessions while taking Laura Horn’s online class, “Painted Horizons.” The focus has been on layering transparent washes to create depth, atmosphere, and soft horizon lines. Working slowly and building color step by step has taught me to trust the process a little more.

One of the paintings grew naturally from experimentation with layering effects. I allowed the watercolor to move freely, watching how each transparent wash changed the mood of the piece. Practice work like this feels freeing because there’s no pressure — just curiosity and exploration.

The second piece began with color inspiration from the Color Cube by Sarah Renae Clark. I challenged myself to match the palette using my own paints, which meant quite a bit of mixing and adjusting along the way. Using colors I wouldn’t normally combine pushed me outside my comfort zone, and in the end, I truly love how the warmth and glow came together.

What I’m discovering again is that practice isn’t separate from finished work — it is the work. Every experiment teaches something new, opens creative doors, and brings fresh energy into the studio.

Sometimes growth happens quietly, one small painting at a time.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this creative journey with me. I hope you have a wonderful and inspiring day!

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