Folklore: A Journey into Open Water

Sometimes a painting takes you on a journey. For me, “Folklore” was one of those pieces. Inspired by the motion and mood of open water and accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful sounds of Taylor Swift’s Folklore album, this painting became a true labor of love. At 36 x 48 inches on canvas, it was a challenge that stretched my skills and definitely pushed me beyond my comfort zone.

I started this piece by “staining” the entire canvas with a wash of indigo and prussian blue, using a large brush to create a rich, moody backdrop. This technique helped lay the foundation of depth and set the tone for the entire painting.

Once the canvas was covered, I loosely “sketched” out the areas of movement and motion that I envisioned capturing. It felt almost like marking the rhythm of waves, allowing the motion to guide the composition.

From there, the real work began. I layered in detail after detail, slowly building the painting up to capture the mesmerizing dance of light on the water’s surface. There were moments of doubt—times when I stepped back and questioned whether I could pull it off on such a grand scale. It took countless breaks to step back, view it from 6 to 8 feet away, and evaluate how it would feel in a room rather than just inches from my face. It’s so easy to get lost in the tiny details, but this painting needed to make a statement from across the room.

Despite the challenges and moments of uncertainty, I kept pushing forward. When I finally stepped back and declared it finished, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the result. “Folklore” is moody and full of motion—waves caught mid-movement, with glimmers of light peeking through the darkness. It has a presence that fills the space, bringing both the power and peace of the ocean into the room.

Right now, it’s gracing my studio with its striking energy, but I know the right collector is out there for this showstopper. I can envision it in a modern entryway, over the mantel in a coastal living room, at the end of a wide hallway, or even above a soaking tub in a luxurious master bath.

If “Folklore” speaks to you and you’d love to see it in your space, click the button below to learn more about the piece and make it yours.

VIEW "FOLKLORE"