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.

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5 Ways Art Can Revitalize Your Home

We’ve all had that one corner or room that feels…meh. Maybe it’s too plain, too dark, or just lacks that spark. But before you start a full-on renovation, consider this: art has the power to breathe life, personality, and soul into a space—no hammer required!

Here are five simple ways art can completely transform even the dullest room:

1. It Sets the Mood
A vibrant abstract piece can energize a space, while soft watercolors bring a sense of calm. Want cozy? Moody florals or warm-toned landscapes can shift the atmosphere instantly. Art doesn’t just sit there—it speaks to the mood you want to create.

2. It Adds a Story
Blank walls feel empty because they have nothing to say. A single piece of meaningful art—especially if it’s handmade or thoughtfully chosen—can turn a “blah” space into a conversation starter. It becomes part of your story.

3. It Sparks Joy (Seriously)
Think of the last time you saw a piece of art that made you smile. That emotional lift? That’s no small thing. Surrounding yourself with uplifting, inspiring visuals can truly shift your mindset every time you walk into a room.

4. It Personalizes Your Space
Art is the quickest way to make a space yours. Whether it’s your own creation, a cherished print, or something you found on a special trip, your art choices reflect your unique tastes and experiences.

5. It Encourages Creativity Everywhere
When your surroundings are visually inspiring, your brain gets the message: creativity lives here. Whether you’re journaling, cooking, or brainstorming your next big idea, art helps unlock that flow state.


Art doesn’t need to be expensive or oversized to be powerful—it just needs to be chosen with heart. 💛

Do you have a piece of art that completely changed how a space felt for you? I’d love to hear how you’ve used art to turn “meh” into magic!

I hope this post sparked some fresh ideas for your space—thanks so much for stopping by!

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Trusting the Process in Abstract Art Creation

A Painting in Progress

Working on these abstract paintings is always an adventure—each layer tells part of the story, even the ones that get buried beneath others. This 18×24 inch piece has been evolving for quite some time now. I’ve been adding layers slowly, letting each one guide the next, and I’m finally starting to fall in love with it.

The Midnight Pause

There’s always a point in the process where I feel the urge to keep going—adding more color, more movement, more energy. Last night was one of those moments. I was tempted to keep layering well past midnight, but something told me to pause. So I listened. I stepped away and promised myself I’d take another look in the morning with fresh eyes. I’m so glad I did.

A Fresh Look in the Morning

This morning, I brought the painting into a sunnier room and propped it up by the window. The natural light made the colors come alive in such a lovely way. I sat there with my delicious chocolate shake, just soaking it all in—and that’s when it hit me: it didn’t need much more. Maybe just a few soft lines or subtle shapes, but nothing major. For now, it feels close to complete. And that feels really good.

Trusting the Process

It’s moments like these that remind me why I love making art—learning to trust the quiet pauses just as much as the bold brushstrokes.

Let’s Chat!

Have you ever taken a break from something creative, then come back to it with fresh eyes? I’d love to hear how that’s worked for you—feel free to share in the comments!

Thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you a beautiful and relaxing weekend!

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A Walk in Monet’s Garden: Observing the World Through Art

“All I did was to look at what the universe showed me, to let my brush bear witness to it.”
~ Claude Monet

When I came across this quote by Monet, it stopped me in my tracks. Such a simple thought, yet so deeply powerful. It reminds me that art isn’t always about striving or planning—it’s about noticing. Truly seeing. Allowing beauty to move through you and out onto the page, canvas, or journal.

Monet painted the world as he experienced it: shimmering light on water, the softness of morning mist, the dance of color in a garden alive with blooms. His work invites us not only to see, but to feel.

That’s the heart of my painting, “A Walk in Monet’s Garden.” It’s a gentle meditation on color and tranquility—a moment where I allowed myself to pause, observe, and let my brush bear witness, too. It’s not a replica of Monet’s style, but a reflection of the awe I feel when I slow down and look at the world with wonder.

Maybe today, you’ll take a quiet moment to do the same. Let beauty find you. Let it speak through whatever medium brings you peace.

Hope you enjoyed this today, thanks for stopping by!!

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Discover the Magic of Spontaneity in Art

Do you ever start a project with one idea in mind, only to watch it take on a completely different direction? That’s exactly what happened in my latest art journal layout!

I began with a loose, abstract background and added some handwritten thoughts. Layers of acrylic inks came next, creating rich textures and pops of color. It felt fun and free, so I kept building—adding more layers with acrylic paint and pens to deepen the design.

Then, something magical happened. As I worked, shapes started to appear. Before I knew it, a big pink heart and delicate flowers seemed to bloom right out of the page! 🌸💕

It wasn’t planned, but sometimes that’s the beauty of art. Creativity has a way of leading you where it wants to go. This spontaneous burst of love-filled energy reminded me how important it is to stay open to the unexpected. When we let go of rigid expectations, beautiful surprises emerge.

What can I say? I’m definitely in love mode today! 💖

I hope this journal spread inspires you to embrace happy accidents in your creative practice, too. After all, art is as much about the journey as the final result—and there’s so much joy to be found when we allow the process to flow.

I’d love to hear how your creative projects have taken unexpected turns! Share your experiences or artwork inspired by this post in the comments, or tag me on Instagram @flowingwatersart. Let’s inspire each other and celebrate the beauty of creativity!

Wishing you a weekend filled with love, creativity, and a touch of magic!

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The Power of Thoughts: A Reflection on Gandhi’s Quote

While flipping through some old notes, I came across this beautiful quote by Gandhi, and it instantly felt like the perfect match for my “Rustic Charm” abstract:

“Your beliefs become your thoughts.
Your thoughts become your words.
Your words become your actions.
Your actions become your habits.
Your habits become your values.
Your values become your destiny.”
~ Gandhi

This quote serves as a great reflection, highlighting how even the simplest thoughts can shape our lives in profound ways. 🎨💫 It reminds us to be mindful of our thoughts and the impact they have on our actions and values. Creating art is my way of reflecting on these ideas, expressing them through color and form, and finding inspiration in life’s little moments.

I hope these words of wisdom inspire you today, thanks for stopping by!🌟✨

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Creative Breaks: Studio Life and New Artwork

With the holidays seeming to arrive faster each year, I’ve been super busy managing the ongoing holiday sale and updating my Etsy Shop. Unfortunately, this has left me with limited studio time, which is such a bummer because creating brings me so much joy. 😥

Despite the holiday hustle, I’ve managed to carve out little pockets of time to work on these two abstracts! 😊 The first one, shown above, is a 3×4-inch cutie that’s starting to take shape. The second is a 5×7-inch canvas with a 1.5-inch depth, making it perfect for either shelf-sitting or wall décor. Both need quite a bit more work but I love where they’re going!

There’s still more to do in my Etsy Shop, but I’m prioritizing studio time because it keeps me grounded and happy. I’ve realized that even a small dose of creativity can make such a big difference in my day.

What about you? What do you do to lift your spirits when you need a quick boost?

Thanks so much for stopping by—wishing you a joyful and creative day!

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Exploring Abstract Art with Watercolor Brushes

I recently got a new set of watercolor brushes, and I couldn’t wait to try them out! I grabbed my 5.5×8.5” watercolor journal and spent a fun afternoon playing around, creating this colorful abstract. It’s amazing how different each brush feels—getting used to their bounce and how much water they hold is part of the fun.

I love experimenting in my journal, testing out new patterns and designs. Some might make their way into bigger pieces, and some are just for the joy of the process. I’m a bit obsessed with curves—you’ll often see circles, waves, and leaves pop up in my art. They remind me of the ocean and trees, two of my favorite things.

For this painting, my favorite parts are the blue leaves near the top and the dark blue waves at the bottom. There’s something calming about those patterns—I love the flow they bring to the piece. What about you? Do you have a favorite part?

I hope this little peek into my process brings a bit of inspiration to your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this creative moment with me!

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“‘Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.’~Pablo Picasso

Photo by Asad Photo Maldives on Pexels.com

Setting New Creative Goals with Watercolor Landscapes

It’s hard to believe we’re already into November, with Thanksgiving just around the corner. As I start looking ahead to next year, I’m setting some exciting goals for my art journey—planning both what I want to accomplish and the new techniques I’m eager to explore.

One of my personal goals is to complete a watercolor landscape in my journal each week. I’m a huge fan of Kolbie Blume, the talented artist behind This Writing Desk. Her books—Wilderness Watercolor Landscapes, Stunning Watercolor Seascapes, and Mastering Light in Watercolor—are my go-to guides for inspiration and technique. With all three on my shelf, I’ve decided to challenge myself to paint through each one, creating a new piece from her books each week until I’ve explored them all.

The paintings shown here were inspired by an online art challenge Kolbie hosted last year, which was a fantastic learning experience. I’m excited to dive back into her work and continue learning, especially as I build my skills in capturing the beauty of nature with watercolor.

If you haven’t checked out Kolbie’s work, I highly recommend it. Her books, website, and YouTube channel offer fantastic tutorials for watercolor lovers at any level. I hope this inspires you to set your own creative challenges for the upcoming year!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with inspiration! 🌄✨

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Exploring Dark Watercolors in Abstract Art

I decided to try something a little different in my 5.5×8.5″ watercolor journal. For this practice painting, I worked mostly with darker watercolors (shown above-left) instead of my usual brighter palette (shown above-right). I love how bold it turned out and how the brighter colors really pop against the deeper tones.

What didn’t quite meet my expectations was the neon-colored paint pens I used—they didn’t stand out as much as I’d hoped. One challenge with watercolor abstracts is that the paint moves and lifts when wet, which can cause those vibrant colors to get a bit muddied.

Still, it was a great practice piece, and I enjoyed the process. That said, I definitely prefer a lighter, brighter background for my work. How about you—do you lean towards bold and dark, or light and bright?

I hope this inspires your creative muse this weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

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“Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else have ever thought.” ~Albert Einstein