Unknown's avatar

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!

Christmas in July Sale in my Etsy Shop

Christmas in July SALE going on Now through July 31st

All Christmas Ornaments and Christmas Paintings in my Etsy Shop are a whopping 50% OFF!!!

Important: Each work of art is an Original, completely Unique! Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. So don’t delay!!!

✨Visit my Etsy Shop now and take advantage of these “HUGE” $AVINGS

Thanks for your support!!

Share the Happy 💖

Thoughtful Thursday – Movie Review

Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

I hadn’t been to the movies in years so I thought it would be fun to see a summertime movie. It was a toss up between the new Indiana Jones and Mission Impossible. After a bit of thought Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning: Part One seemed like it would be the better choice to see on the big screen, and it definitely was!

The movie starred Tom Cruise along with Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby to name a few. It was an awesome action packed movie that centers around an AI which is self aware. It’s kind of scary to think about really, especially with the big push today in AI technology. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the 2 hour and 43 minute movie.

Some reviews say this movie isn’t as good as the earlier ones but that’s a matter of opinion. I’ve recently watched quite a few of the earlier Mission: Impossible movies and for me, this one measures up.

I thought they did an excellent job breaking up the intensity of this movie with humor. One of my favorite parts was the car chase scene with the yellow Fiat. I don’t want to tell you too much because I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it I will say it was pretty funny😂

This is a great summertime movie that’s definitely worth seeing in the theater on the “BIG” screen. Here’s a link to the trailer: Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One

Hope you’ll be able to see it! Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy 💖

Abstract Painting

I finished this 18×18″ abstract painting. It has lots of texture and interesting design elements. I really love this color combination, it’s very happy and uplifting.

Now I need a name for it. The center reminds me of a mountain peak so I thought maybe Pinnacle or Summit but I’m not sure. What do you think is a good name?

Hope this inspires you to create today, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy💖

“Climb mountains not so the world can see you but so you can see the world.” ~Unknown

Stay on the Sunny Side of Life Art Journal

This is a fun journal page I created a while ago with Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils. These colors are much bolder and brighter compared to Kimberly Watercolor Pencils which is what I started with. They both work really well but when you want that extra pop of color, Derwent Inktense Pencils are the way to go.

The fun part with watercolor pencils is you can use them in different ways. You can color with them like a crayon and use a brush dipped in water to activate the paint. Or you can dip your brush in water first and then rub it on the tip of the pencil to pick up color. Another way is to shave off a little of the color, then use your brush with water to paint. No matter how you use them, they’re awesome!

Hope this inspires you create some art today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Thoughtful Thursday 15 Inspiring Quotes

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

We all need a little boost at one time or another and the right words at the right time can have a dramatic impact in our lives. I’m an avid lover of quotes and words have a way of touching our hearts and getting our minds to listen so we change for the better.

Here are 15 quotes to inspire you:

  • “Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” ~Jim Rohn
  • “Build your own dreams, or someone else will hire you to build theirs.” ~Farrah Gray
  • “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~Lao Tzu
  • “One of the most important principles of success is developing the habit of going the extra mile.” ~Napoleon Hill
  • “Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” ~Benjamin Franklin
  • “If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • “People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ~Abraham Lincoln
  • “People say motivation doesn’t last. Well, either does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar
  • “Our greatest challenges in life should be those we give ourselves to reach our full potential.” ~Brendon Burchard
  • “You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can because that’s where you will find success, on the other side of failure.” ~Thomas Watson
  • “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
  • “Successful people are not people without problems. They are people who have learned to solve their problems.” ~Earl Nightingale
  • “Don’ be afraid of new ideas. Bea afraid of old ideas. They keep you where you are and stop you from growing and moving forward. Concentrate on where you want to go, not on what you fear.” ~Tony Robbins
  • “It doesn’t matter where you’re coming from. All that matters is where you are going.” ~Brian Tracy
  • “There has never been and there will never be another you. You have purpose – a very special gift that only you can bring to the world.” ~Marie Forleo

I hope these words of wisdom will lift your spirit when you need it most and fuel your passion for your dreams!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy 💖

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

Sun Zentangle

This was a fun zentangle design I made a while ago in one of my watercolor art journals. Creating zentangle art has a way of calming and relaxing your mind. It helps you to focus, relieve stress and improve eye-hand coordination by simply drawing repetitive patterns. Plus it’s just fun to create.

Most zentangle designs are created in black and white. But I’m crazy about color so I had to paint this one with watercolors. Not to mention I couldn’t resist adding a bit of glitter 😊

There are lots of books and videos online on how to get started. All you need is pen, paper and your imagination. The possibilities are endless!

Hope this inspires you to create art today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Abstract Paintings in Progress

I have several paintings that I’m working on in the studio. The two square canvases are 18×18″ and the rectangle is 18×24″. They all have lots of interesting texture and beautiful color. Each one is also in a different stage of the process. When I look at each one, the colors just make me smile, they’re simply happy paintings.

What do they make you feel? Would love to hear your thoughts.

Hope you have a lovely weekend ahead, thanks for stopping by!!!

Share the Happy 💖

“A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” ~Salvador Dali

Photo by Trung Nguyen on Pexels.com

Thoughtful Thursday Acid Free vs Archival Paper

Photo by Eva Bronzini on Pexels.com

You hear the terms acid free and archival paper quite a bit especially when being used in regards to art and photos. But many get confused with the difference between the two.

Acid free paper is just that, it’s acid free. These papers are made using an alkaline technology so the pulp of the paper is neutral and above 7. The paper is buffered with calcium carbonate to neutralize acid compounds that may come from natural aging or the atmosphere. Papers treated with an alkaline reserve make them last longer.

Acid free paper is used for a number of things that you want to last, like storing photos, displaying artwork, stamp collecting and more. If you use non-acid free paper then you run the risk of damaging your item because it can change the chemical composition of the photo or artwork which affects the color and clarity. Non-acid free paper can also cause chemical burning where it gives off a microscopic fuming of sulfurous acid that causes the paper to become brown, dry and brittle.

Archival paper is acid free and shouldn’t contain any brighteners making it whiter. It also should not contain any ground wood or unbleached pulp but it should meet limits on the metallic content. Although there are no universal standards in what makes paper archival, it should meet these general accepted properties.

Archival-grade paper, also known as museum-grade or museum quality paper is used by many artists. It’s superior in quality and stability when compared to other papers especially in fine art. An archival print is designed to last a 100 years or more.

I hope this helped to clarify the difference between acid free and archival papers. Thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

June Roses Art Journal

Growing up my dad had the most beautiful rose garden. He grew roses of all kinds but Don Juan roses were his favorite. I wanted to have my own and when I asked some of the best nurseries in our area for help, they said it can’t be done in South Florida. I answered, “You didn’t know my dad💖”

I have a Don Juan rose bush and a very fragrant Abraham Darby bush. They’re beautiful but nothing compared to dad’s. I just don’t seem to have his green thumb I guess but I’m still trying 😂

But at least I can enjoy my love for these flowers in my art journal. I started the pages with writing out some of my thoughts. I covered those with paint and added collaged images over that. Then I painted loose roses, made the rose garden gate a bit bigger. The paint doesn’t match exactly but close enough. I love how magical it turned out. What do you think?

Hope this inspires you create some art today, thanks for stopping by!!

Share the Happy💖

“A rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the Heart.” ~Unknown

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.com