Creatures of Calm: My Ocean Inspiration

There’s something about the sea that continues to call to me—quietly, persistently—finding its way into my work again and again.

Some of my recent paintings stem from this deep well of inspiration. The Fifth Day of Creation was the first in this more fluid style of painting that truly felt like I had turned a corner in my art. The movement of the ocean, the detail of the turtle—it all came together just days before the opening of my New Earth exhibition in 2024. It was such a joy to paint and felt deeply in resonance with this new direction.



With In Flow, I wanted to capture the movement of deep ocean currents—being submerged in teal and turquoise waters, surrounded by floating, dancing jellyfish: graceful and ethereal. While Resilience, a painting of an octopus, speaks to strength and adaptability—a reminder that even when we experience setbacks, we have the ability to recover, grow, and thrive.



These canvases are reflections of the ocean as I imagine and feel it, rather than how I physically experience it. Because the truth is, while I’m endlessly inspired by the sea… I’m not entirely at home upon it.

It’s the life beneath the surface that captivates me most. Octopus, jellyfish, dolphins, turtles—each one moves with a quiet grace that feels almost otherworldly. There’s a softness to their rhythm, a calmness in their motion, even as currents shift and tides pull. I find myself returning to these creatures often in my work, studying their shapes, their textures, their way of simply being.




Turtles, in particular, have captured my heart. There’s something in their presence—steady, intricate, gentle—that draws me in every time. The detail in their shells, the fluid movement of their bodies through water, the sense of ancient knowing they seem to carry… they feel both strong and serene at once. They’ve become a recurring subject in my paintings, and I don’t think I’ll ever tire of painting them.

In Stillness in Motion, a turtle glides through the moving ocean—unhurried, ancient, and wise—carried effortlessly by restless tides. Its slow, deliberate movement within swirling currents reminds us that peace can exist even in chaos. The turtle doesn’t resist the sea—it flows with it.



Interestingly, while the ocean inspires so much of my work, being out on the open sea is not something I naturally enjoy. Some people are gifted with sea legs—I am not one of them.

In January, we went whale watching in Kaikōura—something that had been on our list for a long time. It’s one of New Zealand’s most iconic experiences, and I was so excited to finally see these incredible creatures in their natural environment. But the ocean had other plans.

The day we went out, the sea was wild—huge swells, strong winds. It was a far cry from the calm, glassy waters I often imagine when I paint. Many people on board became unwell, and I have to admit, I wasn’t feeling my best either. It was one of those moments where the reality of the ocean reminds you just how powerful and unpredictable it can be.

Next time, I think I’ll be viewing the whales from above… preferably by helicopter.

And yet, even with that experience, my fascination with the sea hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it has deepened. What I’m drawn to isn’t the physical act of being on the water—it’s the feeling of it. The movement, the fluidity, the ever-changing nature of it all.




When I paint, I get to explore that freely. I can soften the chaos, slow the motion, and capture the quiet beauty within it. I can follow the curve of a jellyfish, the glide of a turtle, the effortless flow of life beneath the surface. It becomes less about the reality of the sea, and more about the emotion it evokes.

I find so much joy in translating that into my work—creating pieces that feel calm, fluid, and alive.

I’m already dreaming of future paintings inspired by the ocean—whales, more jellyfish, tropical fish, starfish, and of course, more turtles. There’s still so much to explore, so many stories beneath the surface waiting to be told.

But for now, I’ll continue to draw my inspiration from afar… keeping my feet firmly on land, and my imagination somewhere out at sea.

If you'd like to see more of my ocean inspired paintings and watch reels of their process, head on over to my Instagram.