Tag Archives: ocean inspired art

Discovering Strathmore Acrylic Paper: My Artistic Experiment

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

One of the things I enjoy most about being an artist is experimenting with new materials and discovering how they influence the creative process. Recently, I decided to try Strathmore Acrylic Paper, and I created this small 6″ x 6″ abstract painting while getting familiar with its unique surface.

The first thing I noticed was the weight of the paper. At 246 lb, it’s thicker than the 140 lb watercolor paper I sometimes use. Even though it’s heavier, it still buckles slightly when paint is applied, but nothing major and certainly not enough to distract from the painting experience.

What I especially love is the refined texture. It reminds me of painting on a canvas while still offering the flexibility and convenience of working on paper. The surface allows the paint to glide smoothly while still providing enough texture to create interesting movement and layering.

For this piece, I was inspired by the soothing colors of water and the gentle movement of ocean currents. I built layers of turquoise, aqua, white, and touches of metallic gold to create a sense of flow and tranquility. The tiny dotted details add a playful rhythm that guides the eye across the painting and gives the piece a little extra personality.

Whenever I experiment with a new surface, I like to create a few smaller pieces first. It gives me an opportunity to learn how the material behaves before committing to larger works. Every paper, canvas, or substrate has its own personality, and discovering those differences is one of my favorite parts of the artistic journey.

Sometimes stepping outside of our usual supplies can spark fresh inspiration and encourage us to see our work in new ways.

Have you ever tried a new art supply that surprised you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope this little experiment inspires you to try something new and embrace the joy of creative exploration.

Wishing you a magical and wonderful day! ✨

Share the Happy 💖

Sunlit Tides: An Abstract Journey into Summer

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

There are certain colors that instantly transport me to a favorite season, and for me, summer is all about the ocean.

I love the colors of summer, especially those beautiful shades found along the water’s edge. The deep turquoise waves, soft white foam, and bright yellow sunlight glistening across the surface create a kind of magic that never gets old. Whether I’m walking along the shoreline or simply remembering past beach days, those colors always leave me feeling refreshed and inspired.

That feeling became the inspiration behind my newest 12×12 inch abstract painting, “Sunlit Tides.”

This painting was all about capturing those carefree summer vibes. Layers of turquoise and aqua flow throughout the piece, creating a sense of movement and depth, while touches of white bring to mind the gentle foam of ocean waves. Bright yellow accents add bursts of sunlight, reflecting the way the sun sparkles and dances across the water on a warm summer day.

As I worked on this piece, I wasn’t trying to paint a specific beach or ocean scene. Instead, I wanted to capture a feeling—the joy of being near the water, the warmth of the sun, and the sense of peace that comes from spending time outdoors during the summer months.

One of the things I love most about abstract painting is the freedom it offers. A few colors and layers can spark memories, emotions, and personal connections that are unique to each viewer. Some people may see ocean waves, while others may simply be reminded of a favorite summer day.

For me, this painting feels bright, uplifting, and full of positive energy. Every time I look at it, I can almost hear the waves and feel the sunshine.

What colors remind you most of summer? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope “Sunlit Tides” brings a little bit of summer sunshine to your day. Wishing you a wonderful and creative day!

Share the Happy 💖

Ocean Daydreams Watercolor Abstract

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

There’s something so peaceful about getting lost in ocean colors — the soft movement of water, the shimmer of sunlight across the waves, and the quiet feeling of calm that seems to wash over everything. That feeling became the inspiration behind my newest original watercolor painting, “Ocean Daydreams.” 💙✨

This dreamy abstract watercolor features layered shades of turquoise blue, aqua, sandy beige, and delicate golden details, along with subtle touches of glitter that catch the light beautifully in person. I wanted this piece to feel airy, calming, and full of movement, almost like a peaceful coastal memory drifting through your mind.

One of my favorite details in this painting is the flowing linework weaving throughout the composition. Combined with the soft watercolor textures and luminous shimmer accents, it creates a piece that feels both relaxing and uplifting at the same time.

“Ocean Daydreams” was created on 7.8 x 10.2 inch watercolor paper and includes approximately a .94 inch white border for easy framing and presentation. As always, this is an original one-of-a-kind painting created with professional watercolor paints and sealed with a protective finish.

I could really see this piece bringing a soothing coastal feel into a bedroom, reading nook, office, or creative space. It would also make a beautiful gift for anyone who loves ocean-inspired artwork and calming modern décor.

You can now find “Ocean Daydreams” available in my Etsy shop, Flowing Waters Art Shop. ✨

Thank you so much for stopping by and supporting my art journey. I hope this painting brings a little peaceful inspiration to your day and reminds you to make space for quiet moments and beautiful daydreams. Wishing you a wonderful and creative day ahead! 💙

Share the Happy 💖

Introducing “Gilded Tides” — A New Ocean-Inspired Watercolor Abstract

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Some paintings come together slowly and thoughtfully, while others seem to flow almost entirely on their own. “Gilded Tides” was one of those pieces where the watercolor seemed to naturally guide the direction — blending soft ocean blues, flowing movement, and shimmering gold accents in a way that felt calm and effortless from the very beginning.

As the layers developed, the painting began reminding me of shifting tides, reflective water, and those peaceful moments where light dances across the surface in unexpected ways. I’ve been especially inspired lately by movement and luminosity in watercolor, allowing the paint to create organic textures and subtle details that can never be fully planned.

This piece became part of an ongoing exploration of flowing color, layered texture, and intuitive painting. Even when I begin with a general idea in mind, I always love watching a painting slowly develop its own mood and personality along the way.

“Gilded Tides” was created on 7.9 x 7.9 inch 140 lb watercolor paper and features hand-painted gold details along with a soft border for framing.

One of my favorite things about abstract art is how personal the experience can become for each viewer. Some may see ocean waves or moonlit water, while others may connect with the colors, movement, or peaceful energy in an entirely different way.

If you’d like to see more details of “Gilded Tides,” the original painting is now available in my Etsy shop, Flowing Waters Art Shop.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this creative journey with me. Wishing you a wonderful and inspiring day ahead 💙✨

Share the Happy 💖

Moonlit Currents: A Calming Coastal Watercolor

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

There’s something so peaceful about the feeling of standing near the water at night — the glow of moonlight reflecting across the shoreline, the gentle movement of the tides, and the calm that seems to settle over everything. That quiet feeling became the inspiration behind my newest original watercolor painting, “Moonlit Currents.”

This 5×7 abstract watercolor features deep midnight blues, glowing turquoise tones, warm sandy golds, and flowing details that create a dreamy coastal atmosphere. I wanted this piece to feel both calming and full of movement, like waves quietly drifting beneath a star-filled sky.

One of my favorite parts of creating watercolor paintings is watching the colors naturally blend and move across the paper. The soft transitions in this piece helped create that peaceful, atmospheric feeling I was hoping for. “Moonlit Currents” also includes an approximately .5 inch white border, making it easy to frame and display.

I think this painting would work beautifully in a cozy reading nook, bedroom, office, or any space needing a little softness and calm coastal energy.

✨ “Moonlit Currents” is now available in my Etsy shop here: Flowing Waters Art Shop

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in my creative journey. I hope this new piece brings a little moment of calm and inspiration to your day.

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Share the Happy💖

Creating Peace with ‘Whispering Shores’ Watercolor Art

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

There’s something about the ocean that never really leaves you—the gentle rhythm, the shifting colors, the quiet sense of calm it brings. That feeling is exactly what inspired my newest watercolor piece, “Whispering Shores.”

This painting came together in a way that felt very fluid and intuitive, almost like following the movement of water itself. I worked with washes of turquoise, hints of green, and warm sandy tones, letting each layer settle naturally into the next. The result is a piece that feels both peaceful and alive—like standing at the edge of the shoreline and watching the tide drift in and out.

One of my favorite details in this piece is the subtle shimmer. I added delicate touches of glitter to catch the light just enough to give it that soft, sunlit sparkle—like sunlight dancing across the water. It’s not overpowering, just a gentle little surprise when the light hits it.

Because this is a 5×7 watercolor on paper, I included a soft white border around the painting. I love doing this because it makes framing easy and gives the artwork a clean, finished look once it’s matted.

I can really see this piece living in a cozy corner, a bedroom, or even a quiet workspace—anywhere you want to bring in a sense of calm and a little bit of coastal energy.

If “Whispering Shores” speaks to you, you can find it available now in my Etsy shop here:
Flowing Waters Art Shop

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and being part of my creative journey. Wishing you a beautiful, peaceful, and inspiring day.

Share the Happy ❤️

Sunset Veil: Bringing Coastal Calm to Your Space

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

There’s something about sunsets that keeps pulling me back in—the colors, the quiet, the way everything seems to soften for just a moment.

Sunset Veil began as one of those moments.

I couldn’t resist exploring another sunset-inspired abstract, and somehow (not surprisingly), I found myself drifting back to the ocean again. There’s just something about that meeting of sky and water that feels endless and calming all at once.

This piece leans into a softer palette than some of my other work, but it still carries that vibrant energy I love. Layers of color blend and move like a gentle tide, creating a sense of flow that feels both peaceful and alive.

Even with all the behind-the-scenes shop work I’ve been juggling lately—the kind that never really seems to end—I carved out a little time to paint this. And honestly, I needed it. There’s something about sitting down and letting the colors lead that resets everything.

I loved how Sunset Veil came together so much that I decided to turn it into a print, making it easier to bring this soft, ocean-inspired glow into your own space.

Whether it reminds you of waves rolling in, a fading sunset sky, or something entirely your own, that’s part of the magic. Abstract art always leaves room for your own story.

✨ Sunset Veil is now available as a Giclée art print in sizes from 5×7 to 18×24—ready to bring a soft, coastal glow into your space. You can find it in my shop here: FlowingWatersArtShop.etsy.com

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this moment of color with me. I hope your day is filled with inspiration, creativity, and a little bit of calm.

Share the Happy 💖

Chasing Light: When an Abstract Becomes an Ocean Sunset

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

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!

Share the Happy💖