Finding Reality in Abstract Painting

Experiencing the Ocean on Canvas

Contemporary abstract painting video showing how I am inspired by natural forms, featuring waves and ocean movement along with abstract paintings.

Ever since I started painting, I’ve found myself drifting into a world that feels as real as any physical place I’ve visited. I’m not painting exact scenes or locations – it's more like closing my eyes and feeling the ocean, imagining that wild surf crashing, the water swirling, the waves pulling back and then charging forward again. You could say it’s a bit of a daydream on canvas, but to me, it’s all about capturing the raw, alive feeling of being in that moment – like standing chest-deep in the ocean, completely lost in it.

Abstract painting capturing the energy of ocean waves crashing over rocks with hints of pelican forms

What I’m trying to paint isn't some “real” place; it’s more of a feeling I’m chasing. Maybe you’ve been there too – that place where water’s crashing around you, the rocks are slick, and you feel both exhilarated and humbled. That’s what I’m after: the emotion, not the exact scene. I want you to see the movement and feel something that’s just as real to you as it is to me. Maybe it'll remind you of a place you’ve been, or maybe it’ll bring something else entirely to mind.

Why a Pelican?

Canvas artwork inspired by the ocean’s movement, reflecting turbulent waves and natural shapes

Now, you might notice a little pelican popping up here and there in my work. Why a pelican? Good question – honestly, I think they’re just quirky and interesting. It’s not so much about the bird itself, but the shape of that beak and the way their necks curve and twist. There’s something visually satisfying in those lines that just keeps pulling me back. It’s almost like a dance, the way they move in and out of my compositions.

But, if you don’t see the pelican, that’s totally fine. Art is a funny thing that way. I might be thinking “pelican” and you might be seeing a mountain range, or maybe you’re reminded of something else entirely. And that’s kind of the point. I want my work to be a doorway for your own memories and emotions, a place where you can see whatever you need to see in that moment.

A Personal Connection, Not Just a Painting

At the end of the day, my art is about connection. I’m not here to tell anyone what to think or feel – I’m just sharing a piece of what the ocean means to me. For me, there’s something meditative in the whole process, almost like I’m sitting by the water and getting a chance to pause and just be there. If that resonates with you, great. And if it makes you think of something totally different, even better.

So, maybe the next time you see one of my pieces, you’ll get a sense of that same ocean pull. Or maybe you’ll see something completely different.