Category Archives: Creative Process

Chasing Light: When an Abstract Becomes an Ocean Sunset

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There are moments in the creative process that feel less like painting… and more like discovering. This piece was one of those moments.

I set out with the simple intention of creating a landscape abstract—nothing too defined, just a gentle exploration of color and movement. But somewhere along the way, something shifted. The soft pinks, warm yellows, and dreamy blues began to blend in a way that felt familiar… and before I even realized it, an ocean sunset started to emerge. 🌅

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t forced. It just… unfolded.

I began this painting with brushes, carefully laying down color and feeling out the composition. But pretty quickly, I felt the urge to let go of that control. My fingers took over, blending the sky, softening transitions, and adding that fluid, organic movement that only happens when you truly connect with the paint. There’s something incredibly freeing about that—no tools, just instinct.

The sky became this soft, glowing wash of color—almost like cotton candy drifting across the horizon—while the ocean below grounded the piece with movement and depth. And those tiny birds? They seemed to appear right when they were needed, adding just a hint of life and story.

What I love most about this painting is how it reminds me that creativity doesn’t always need a plan. Sometimes, the most meaningful pieces come from letting go, trusting your instincts, and allowing the art to reveal itself.

This one felt a little magical from start to finish. ✨

Have you ever created something that surprised you along the way?

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this creative moment with me. Wishing you a wonderful, and inspiring day!

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Exploring Abstract Art: Ocean Blues vs. Playful Pinks

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There’s something so freeing about creating just to explore—and these two practice abstract sets were exactly that. No pressure, just color and curiosity leading the way.

Both are made up of four mini abstracts using the same mix of watercolors, acrylics, pens, pencils, and bits of collage—yet they each took on a completely different mood.

Cool, Calm Ocean Blues

The first set leans into soft blues and greens, inspired by the gentle rhythm of the ocean. The colors flow naturally, with subtle texture and small pops of green, yellow and light that feel peaceful and soothing.

Warm, Playful Pinks

The second set is full of warmth and energy, with vibrant pinks, touches of orange, and hints of gold. Layered marks, playful movement, and a bit of shimmer give these pieces a lively, expressive feel.

Same Process, Different Personalities

I love how the same materials can lead to such different results. One calm and flowing… the other bright and full of energy.

It’s a beautiful reminder that creativity doesn’t have to be perfect—just showing up and playing can lead to something unexpected and joyful.

Which one speaks to you more—the calming blues or the playful pinks?

Thank you so much for stopping by. Wishing you a happy, colorful, and wonderful day ✨

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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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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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Exploring Pure Watercolor Techniques for Stunning Art

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Returning to Pure Watercolor

Recently I’ve been working exclusively in 100% watercolor — no pens, no pencils, no mixed media — just paint, water, and experimentation. Limiting my tools in this way has been incredibly freeing. It removes distractions and brings my focus back to the natural movement of pigment, allowing watercolor to lead the conversation.

There’s a calm that comes from watching color bloom and settle. Working this simply reconnects me with why I love watercolor in the first place — the balance of intention and surrender.

Small Swatches, Big Discoveries

I started by creating lots of small watercolor swatches to test new color combinations, brushes, and techniques. These mini studies are where discovery happens. Each swatch becomes a low-pressure space to explore how pigments blend, separate, and create unexpected textures.

This playful experimentation feels both energizing and grounding. There’s no pressure for perfection — just curiosity. Some color pairings surprised me with their softness, while others produced bold, atmospheric effects that immediately sparked ideas for larger pieces.

From Testing to Finished Pieces

After choosing my favorite swatches, I moved into four 6×6 inch watercolor abstracts, carrying those discoveries forward. Even at this stage, the process stayed experimental. I adjusted water ratios, layered washes, and allowed organic edges to form naturally.

Each piece evolved from those early tests, maintaining a sense of freedom while gaining structure and intention. The result feels like a conversation between exploration and refinement — guided, but never forced.

Why This Process Matters

Working this way has been deeply refreshing for my creative mindset. Focusing on pure watercolor encourages patience, play, and emotional presence. It reminds me that experimentation isn’t separate from finished work — it is the foundation of it.

When I give myself permission to explore, my paintings feel more alive and expressive. That sense of freedom carries into the final pieces, creating art that reflects both process and feeling.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day!

Share the Happy ❤️

Exploring Abstract Techniques in Art

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While I’m busy making little tweaks and fine-tuning my new Etsy Photography Shop, I’ve also been happily experimenting in the studio and diving into abstract work. Lately, it’s all about trying new techniques, playing with different supplies, and seeing what happens when I push myself outside my usual comfort zone.

These pieces were created on 140 lb handmade watercolor paper—and I’ll be honest, it’s not my favorite. There are areas where the paint just refuses to soak in, no matter how much I layer it on. The paper also has a yellow-green tinge, which works beautifully with some color palettes… and not so much with others. Part of the process, right?

That said, I am absolutely loving this color palette. It has a cool, calming vibe that really speaks to me. In the first image, though, I wasn’t thrilled with how the paintings were coming together. I tried adding a touch of shimmering metallic paint to see if that would elevate them—but they still didn’t quite win me over.

The second image features more organic shapes, and this is where things started to click. I love the way the shapes seem to glow, and that soft energy makes the piece feel really fun and alive to me.

By the time I reached the last image, I pretty much threw everything in my creative arsenal at it—short of the kitchen sink 😉 That one I truly love, especially the way the gold paint catches the light and adds that extra glow.

Art is always an experiment, and not every piece needs to be a favorite to teach you something new—and that’s part of what keeps it exciting.

I also want to send warm wishes to everyone affected by Winter Storm Fern. I hope you’re staying safe, warm, and well.

Thanks so much for being here and sharing this creative journey with me. Have a wonderful day!

Share the Happy❤️

Explore Flowing Waters Photo: New Shop on Etsy

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I’m so excited to finally share that my new Etsy shop, Flowing Waters Photo, is officially open! 🎉 After lots of time, planning, and behind-the-scenes work, I’ve finished transferring all of my photographs to this new space, and it feels wonderful to see it all come together.

To give you a little history, my love for photography began when I was about 10 years old. My father helped me craft a simple camera out of cardstock that actually worked, and that little creation sparked a fascination that’s stayed with me ever since. A few years later, he gifted me my first real camera as a birthday present—one I’ll always treasure. It opened my eyes to a whole new way of seeing the world and capturing the beauty around me.

Today, I use my Nikon Z50 to photograph everyday moments that catch my eye, transforming them into images that feel meaningful and timeless. This shop is a reflection of that journey and my love for noticing the small details that often go unnoticed.

All orders in the shop include FREE Shipping, so you can enjoy browsing without worrying about any extra costs. I can’t wait to continue sharing more art and photography with you.

Thanks for coming along with me on this creative journey. Wishing you a wonderful day!

Share the Happy ❤️

Behind the Scenes of My New Etsy Photography Shop

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Lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time behind the scenes, quietly building and reshaping my creative space. I’m in the process of setting up my new Etsy Shop, Flowing Waters Photo, and it’s been both exciting and thoughtful work. This shop will be dedicated solely to my photography—real moments, captured through my own lens. With so much changing in the creative world, it felt important to create a clear home for my photographic work. As new images find their place in the photo shop, I’m moving them out of my original Flowing Waters Art Shop so each space can shine in its own way.

While there’s been plenty of organizing, uploading, and decision-making, I’ve also been sneaking in some much-needed studio time. Those moments—brush in hand, paint flowing—have been a refreshing pause from the technical side of things. I’ve been experimenting with watercolor abstract ideas, letting myself explore without a set outcome in mind. Some pieces surprise me, others challenge me, and a few remind me that not everything needs to be perfect to be meaningful.

I love sharing this part of the journey with you—the in-between moments, the experiments, the small steps that often go unseen. Creativity isn’t just about the finished piece; it’s about the process, the curiosity, and the joy of trying something new. I hope you’ll continue to peek behind the scenes with me as Flowing Waters grows and evolves.

Thanks so much for being here. Have a wonderful day!

Share the Happy❤️

The Joy of Playful Art: A Seasonal Reflection

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I’ll be honest—my art creations have slowed down a little lately. And honestly? I’m okay with that. One reason is that it’s the holidays, and I’ve been soaking up the season as much as possible: the little moments, the cozy pauses, the magic that always shows up this time of year. The second reason is a bit more behind-the-scenes—I’ve been working on plans to add a shop directly to this website. That means if Etsy isn’t your thing, you’ll soon be able to browse all of my artwork and shop right here, no extra accounts or steps required. I’m really excited about that next chapter.

As for this piece, it came from a place of play. No pressure, no rigid plan—just colors, shapes, and curiosity. It lives somewhere between abstract and impressionism, and I kind of like that it doesn’t fully commit to either. The florals feel loose and expressive, and the bold reds, warm yellows, and fresh greens felt absolutely perfect for the season. It was one of those sessions where experimenting was the whole point, and the joy was in seeing what would happen next.

Sometimes creativity—and really, life in general—doesn’t need to be about productivity or progress. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up, enjoying the moment, and letting yourself follow what feels good without overthinking it. This piece reminded me of that, and maybe it’s a gentle reminder for you too. 💛

What do you see when you look at it? Flowers in full bloom, festive energy, or just a burst of happy color? I’d love to know.

Wishing you a truly wonderful, magical day✨ Thanks so much for stopping by!

Share the Happy ❤️

Whispers of Light: A Painting Comes to Life

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Some paintings take their time with me. They don’t rush, and they don’t reveal everything at once. Whispers of Light, my newest 18×24 inch abstract, is one of those pieces.

It started months ago with soft washes of color and textured movement layered onto canvas. I blogged about it back in May—how I paused at midnight, resisting the urge to keep going, and waited for the morning light to guide me. That moment of stillness helped me see the work with fresh eyes. I didn’t know it at the time, but that pause was part of the painting’s story too.

As I added final touches in the weeks that followed, I kept returning to that early light—the quiet, glowing energy that filtered through the window that morning. The colors in this piece—turquoise, rose, golden peach, and warm earth tones—carry a softness, a hush, almost like a breath between thoughts. There’s boldness in the movement, yes, but also a sense of calm rising through the layers.

That’s where the title came from. Whispers of Light felt right—it speaks to the way this piece came together: slowly, gently, and with trust in the quiet moments.

Now that it’s finished, I feel both proud and at peace with it. It’s a reminder to listen to intuition, to light, to softness. To know when to pause, and when to move forward.

Thank you for following along on this painting’s journey—it means so much to have you here.

💫 Have you ever worked on something that unfolded slowly and surprised you in the end? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Wishing you a weekend full of quiet joy and radiant little whispers of your own.

Share the Happy 💖