My mom always says sitting together and watching an ocean, a fire and a new baby are the three most relaxing things you can do. What is it about water that is so calming? Even if your house is landlocked, you can bring the ocean into your space through artwork — hanging a piece of water art is like creating your own view. Here, we rounded up 15 lovely pieces…
Thoughts? Any other art shops you like?
P.S. More affordable art and the prettiest ceramics.
(Top photo of this print by Silke Blonde.)
I got the first painting and then this one (http://www.silkebonde.com/lookingcloser/blueworld) for my baby’s nursery and after we got them framed, we loved them so much we ended up putting them in our own bedroom so we could look at them all the time! Now we need to find something else for the nursery before baby’s arrival!
Thank you Molly!
Lovely images. As a photographer with a home at the shore, the ocean beckons constantly — in fact it’s hard to put the camera down some days. I love how nature photography can expand small spaces visually — especially water views. Etsy, where I sell, is an amazing source for Fine Art Photography.
I enlarged a photo through Print Studio from my recent vacation to Cozumel (https://www.flickr.com/photos/133906001@N05/27377006006/in/album-72157669126445766/), got a great cheap frame from Ikea, and it’s now on the living room wall. I have a similar sand print I’m thinking of doing next for the bedroom.
Awesome!! So happy to have a piece included in this lineup!! xx Jorey
I follow a blog called Carlsbad Cravings. Her husband does incredible ocean art. http://www.carlsbadcravings.com/green-room-paintings/
My grandfather actually used the ocean to paint. He is in his 90s and has been doing this as his profession forever!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Py3n5I-Ayqc
Loved the row & texture prints.
Shruthi
http://nyambura.co
I agree and I think that you could say exactly the same thing refering to sky art, don’t you think? Look at these pieces: http://www.rubenscorinne-artistepeintre.fr/ciels/ so claming as well!
i recently came across this amazing organization& shared it with another blogger I follow. she did a post on it and i thought this may be relevant for your readership, too! while some of the originals are a little pricey (though, for a wonderful cause) the prints are much more affordable and are a fantastic way to make a difference and empower these talented artists: http://www.artlifting.com/
I completely agree with your mom! The ocean just lets your mind wander peacefully – a mini-escape.
Those selections are beautiful! I also like these two on Minted:
http://tinyurl.com/gugl75k
http://tinyurl.com/ht3hsps
Your selections are lovely. I have a favorite artist in my small town who paints the most amazing skies and sea scenes. http://www.lisajoycehill.com/archive/
I’m not much of a beach person, but I love sitting on the rocks and watching the waves. And more than that, I love ocean photography and artwork! I especially love the “vast” “void” and “storm” artworks. I could stare at them all day and they add a beautiful touch to a white walled room.
These are beautiful! I love the idea and photographs. But although I like them, I don’t find the graphic ones calming at all myself!
I absolutely adore ALL of these so much! I grew up in Southern California and Hawaii, so I was always around the water, so that’s something I want to bring into my home decor no matter where I’m living in the world. I hope to better decorate my next home with these pieces!
If you want some truly breathtaking underwater photography (not quite photos of the ocean but still mesmerizing in the way that only water can be) the work of Peter Benke out of California is all pretty amazing. I haven’t been able to purchase anything yet but fingers are crossed for my one-day home!
The first one’s my favorite! I love the ocean!
Similar to watching waves, I have always found sitting on a back porch and watching a thunderstorm calming. I love the California and Storm pieces, thanks for the ideas!
If you want to understand why being near (or staring at) the ocean is so great, check out the book “Blue Mind” by J. Nichols
https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Mind-Surprising-Healthier-Connected/dp/0316252115
Or check out his website! http://www.wallacejnichols.org/122/blue-mind.html
Aaron Chang’s work is amazing. But all photos. He is the long time ex head photographer of Surfer Magazine. Has two galleries in San Diego – incredible! We bought one huge one for our living room!
Oh these are just so beautiful! Hope to get one for my place one day. Thanks for this list!
Love this post! I’m always trying to find ways to decorate that don’t upset the natural calmness that the apartment has without all my stuff. It’s encouraged me to move toward all natural colors, and to decorate less as a whole. Love this idea though!
Zaria Forman’s drawings, (using her fingers and hand!) of Antarctica take my breath away. They are stunning images of water that are hauntingly beautiful. I believe artwork that inspiring shouldn’t be framed. I prefer the Swiss clips look anyway, but for large artwork its the way to go.
oh my goodness, she is incredible.
I love ocean photography, here is a link to some more affordable prints that can be order framed or as large tapestries!
https://society6.com/product/new-zealand-bethells-beach_print#s6-2720734p4a1v45
Also Morgan maassen is amazing!
I seriously thought I was the only person who loved seeing photos of water, so this made me so happy!!!
XO Helen @ http://www.KaleidoscopeSpinning.com
Love this! I’ve been trying to give my home a coastal feel as the ocean is my happy!
She doesn’t ship to the U.S., but Hannah Ludnow’s paintings of Cornwall are beautiful. Worth a visit to Columbia Rd on a Sunday. http://www.columbiaroadprints.com/
I adore this <3
I completely agree! I have a giant 4ft x 4ft ocean print. I actually got it off of this royalty free site Unsplash.com, printed it at Staples on their color engineer printer – had to print two since the largest size is 3ft x 4ft but then glued them together to make the size I wanted. Here is a pic! http://bit.ly/2afLGkZ
I just moved to San Diego so felt the need to do it. It does make me feel like I am beach front ha!
how cool about san diego, i hope you love it there!
How did you do the frame?
My mom feels the same and she is a photographer. She takes gorgeous pictures of the ocean. Check her out. http://www.judithgigliotti.com
These artworks brought me back to the novel: “Ocean Sea” by Alessandro Baricco. One of the several characters gathered at a hotel near the ocean is a painter whose main theme is the sea. He wants to grasp the essence of the ocean by painting with its water and, well, his artwork is quite peculiar. A book worth reading!
I totally agree with your mom and I would add cats to the list.
Here is one of my favorite artists: http://www.oceansanddreams.com
This reminds me of a quotation of Karen Blixen’s from Seven Gothic Tales:
“Do you know a cure for me?”
“Why yes,” he said, “I know a cure for everything. Salt water.”
“Salt water?” I asked him.
“Yes,” he said, “in one way or the other. Sweat, or tears, or the salt sea.”
love this.
I thought of this as well. It’s one of my favorite passages of all time.
This is so beautiful and so true, thanks for sharing!
I always attributed that quote to Isak Dinesen…? Anyway, I love it!
Apparently Isak Dinsen is the pen name of Karen Blixen.
I love this! I’m in the process of redecorating my basement — ocean / beach theme so these are great! Thanks for sharing!
Sugarlift has some great water prints in their August collection!
http://www.sugarlift.com/collections/august-2016
Tynezphoto.com. Beautiful waves often shot from the water.
I agree! I also love Brynn Casey’s art: http://brynnwcasey.com/ . You can order prints or custom canvases. So, so pretty!!
Lovely! All beautiful choices.
A little self-promotion ?
I’m working on an affordable art project, my 100paintings project – paintings priced at $215 with the idea that sometimes people want to start an art collection but it’s hard to find affordable paintings. See them on Instagram @elyceabrams.com or
http://elyceabrams.com/section/427560-100-12-x-12-paintings-to-be-done-throughout-2016.html
Thanks!
Ha! Your mom was right! Especially the baby part.
I remember seeing a special exhibition at the Met years ago that was all photographs of the ocean horizon by a Japanese photographer. I thought, this is just what makes everybody laugh at modern art. I went in, planning to mock it. I was mesmerized. I went back again and again to be transported by the images. They all of the horizon–sky above, sea below–yet were so different, so mystical.
that’s such a cool story. i’ve had similar experiences, too. sometimes the simplest thing is the most moving.
Hiroshi Sugimoto! One of my favorite artists….
His work is incredible.
Beautiful selection!
I agree with your Mum. That’s so true. There’s nothing better, tbh!
S
xx
meandlucas.blogspot.com
I love BEAM prints by Callen Thompson – inspired by the desert and nature, full of color and pattern, I have one at home and in my office, and they are calming and gorgeous: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BEAMprints?ref=unav_listing-r. (This is one of the ones I have, Annapurna: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/206954545351756669/).
those are really beautiful.
I share a love of ocean art as well. I am obsessed with this photographer. Check out his amazing shots INSIDE waves!
http://raycollinsphoto.com/collections/store
Stunning! Thanks for sharing.
I work for a company called Great BIG Canvas and we have some incredible beach photos. I just put some (HUGE ones) up in my city living room since I didn’t get to take a trip to the coast this summer!
a lovely selection! i could have each one in a giant gallery wall.
you might also enjoy this abstract piece :
https://www.etsy.com/listing/451919246/vein?ref=shop_home_active_1
These are gorgeous. I love seascapes.
My housemate from university is now a fully fledged artist making stunning pieces, many of which draw on his love of the sea and his home on the Welsh coast. We have one of his paintings in the living room and love it.
Here’s his website: http://www.bowiesarthouse.com
Hope that’s ok to share.
These are all so pretty and relaxing
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
These are beautiful. Thank you for posting!
-From a painter who loves blue and also loves gray
I love ocean art! I like to make my own, especially during projects with friends. But then, I did go to art school and I do live near the ocean. Favorite pet project on my to-do list: aerial beach photography. Put a GoPro on a drone at the beach.
Likely By Sea
Just reading this post was relaxing :)
We can’t forget Max Wanger!!
http://maxwangerprintshop.com/collections/all
https://www.instagram.com/maxwangerprintshop/
Yes! I have been coveting all of Gray Malin’s work for a while now and then found Max Wanger, who is a bit softer (and more affordable!) but reminds me of Gray. Love it, and plan to purchase one soon because I can’t stop returning to his site to browse.
I just received my gorgeous Max Wanger ‘Wave’ print back from Framebridge (shout out to the easiest framing service EVER) to hang in our new bedroom, in an attempt to make our it our serene, relaxing escape. Can’t wait to hang it above our bed and be whisked away to the sea as I drift off to sleep every night…
how beautiful!
I agree with you mother. Staring at the ocean is one of the most relaxing things. I love these pieces of artwork, too.
x. Cattleya
alittlecattleya.com
The best ocean art is created by artist Jess Hurley Scott.
https://jesshurleyscott.com/
Extremely realistic, photo image paintings of waves, ocean front, etc.
Her work has been showed up and down the east cost, including Nantucket!
Check her out!
i can’t believe those are paintings!
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