Water is life and, as poet W.H. Auden put it, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” Perhaps for this reason, we are forever entranced by its many miracles, while also being bound to it eternally. From the sea and ocean to rivers and lakebeds, to even our own bathtubs, water can bring serenity and peace while also eliciting high energy and sometimes fear.
Abend Gallery, Threshold, oil on panel, 60 x 48”, by Adam HallArtists in particular are great at capturing the feelings that bodies of water can conjure. Take, for example, the work of artist Hermann Ottomar Herzog (1832-1932), who was called the “Grandfather of American Landscape”—for his longevity. “German-born, Herzog was a popular painter of seascapes and pastoral and mountain landscapes in the Hudson River tradition,” notes a specialist at Heritage Auctions. “During the 1850s and 60s, Herzog traveled throughout Europe, depicting various sublime landscapes with raging waterfalls and roiling skies…” In 1869 Herzog set up his studio in Philadelphia and began painting grand landscapes, recalling those by Albert Bierstadt and Worthington Whittredge, in the Northeast, Yosemite and Mexico. Although his post-1870s paintings are considered American, Herzog rarely dated his work, making it difficult to locate his subjects.”
Consider one of Herzog’s impeccable water scenes, Fishing on the Gulf Coast, Florida—offered at Heritage Auctions—evoking a quiet moment as his subjects leisurely cast their fishing lines from their canoe. The vividness of the surrounding foliage, with palm trees springing from the background, as well as the treatment of lighting on the water, brims with sensibilities of peace and solitude.
Principle Gallery, Tidal Currents, oil on linen, 30 x 36”, by Christine LashleyFor today’s waterscape artists, like Christine Lashley, we see this tranquility carried on through pieces like Tidal Currents—depicting a tuft of marshland near Charleston, South Carolina. The artist, represented by Principle Gallery in Charleston, shares, “I’ve painted it in all seasons, captivated by the diamond shape that subtly shifts each year. No moment is the same along the shore, which I love. I also enjoy inventing my own narrative—rearranging sandbars, introducing submerged shells or layering aqua bands in the distance, which I did in this painting. A light touch is essential to convey motion and softness without making the painting feel static. The water’s edge is one of my favorite motifs to paint. The reflective surface and shifting depths create a seductive play of light and movement. A challenge is capturing this excitement while maintaining harmony.”
Heritage Auctions, Fishing on the Gulf Coast, Florida, oil on canvas, 22 x 30”, by Hermann Ottomar Herzog (1832-1932). Courtesy Heritage Auctions; Altamira Fine Art, Charm Only, oil on canvas, 40 x 60”, by Mary Roberson.Other artists like to capture the energy, power and symbolism that water can summon. This can be found in works like Adam Hall’s Threshold, offered at Abend Gallery in Denver, Colorado, showing a unique vision of churning ocean waves and a diving board. “[My paintings like this] were originally inspired by nostalgic moments from my childhood spent at the local pool,” Hall explains. “I purposely used nostalgic duotones and pops of fluorescent colors to represent that era. Gradually, the paintings transformed into more symbolic concepts, replacing the pool with grand oceanic scenes. The diving board represents, for me, the act of jumping headfirst into a sea of chaos or the unknown. The remnants of a ladder symbolize the desire to cling to the old self—a safety net of sorts.”
Whether from an older era or modern time, artists challenge and illuminate our bonded relationship with water, so much so that we cannot help but be enamored with its enchantment.
Top: Altamira Fine Art, Catch of the Day, oil on canvas, 48 x 60”, by David Frederick Riley; Altamira Fine Art, Handiwork, oil on canvas, 48 x 60”, by Robert Moore. Bottom: JG Art Gallery + Events, Ecola Point, oil on linen on wood panel, 36 x 48”, by Lisa McShane; JG Art Gallery + Events, River of No Return, oil on linen on wood panel, 40 x 30”, by Lisa McShane.Continue reading through this section dedicated to the genre of Seascapes, Rivers & Lakes, to hear additional insights and inspiration on creating water works.
Altamira Fine Art specializes in the exhibition and sale of Western contemporary artwork. They offer an active exhibition schedule year-round between two gallery locations in Jackson, Wyoming and Scottsdale, Arizona. There is truly something for everyone with a wide range of styles, from Robert Moore’s incredible impasto paint application and lively brushwork, to David Frederick Riley’s ethereal depictions of classic Western scenes.
In addition, the gallery features impressive water themed works by artist Mary Roberson, whose use of vibrant color pop on the canvas. Her ever-playful wildlife subjects also steal the show. From the rivers and lakes surrounding the majestic Teton mountains to the natural springs of the Grand Canyon, in keeping with the gallery ethos, artists’ works depict water in a way that is anything but ordinary.
Stephen Henning, Midsummer Eve on Stowe Lake, acrylic, 20 x 32”Lisa McShane, represented by JG Art Gallery + Events, is based on Samish Island, Washington, and is renowned for her luminous oil paintings that capture the sweeping landscapes of the American West. Her work, characterized by abstracted forms and a masterful portrayal of light, has garnered significant recognition. Collectors are drawn to McShane’s work for its evocative depiction of light interacting with land and water. Utilizing layers of oil paint on linen, she creates pieces that resonate with both realism and abstraction. Her ability to convey the beauty of natural landscapes, while acknowledging human impacts such as wildfire smoke and industrial reflections, adds depth and relevance to her art.
McShane’s commitment to environmental issues is evident in her recent projects addressing climate change and sea-level rise.
Surrounded by Minnesota’s glacial moraine, where lakes emerge like quiet reflections of the sky, artist Stephen Henningfinds endless inspiration in the interplay of water, light and atmosphere. “My work is rooted in meditative impressionism—capturing not just the scene, but the essence of stillness and movement, memory and presence,” he says. “Whether painting a secluded pond or a shimmering river bend, I aim to evoke a sense of tranquility and timelessness, inviting the viewer to pause, breathe and immerse themselves in the moment.”
Clockwise from top left: JG Art Gallery + Events, Towards Chopaka, oil on linen on wood panel, 24 x 60”, by Lisa McShane; Karen Murphy, Reflective Journey, oil on canvas, 48 x 48”; Stephen Henning, Christina Lake: View of Seven Sisters, acrylic, 30 x 58” When acquiring artwork depicting water, Henning says to, “seek pieces that resonate emotionally and transcend mere representation. The best works—whether impressionistic or abstract—capture the feeling of light dancing on the surface, the quiet mystery of depth or the energy of flowing currents.Choose pieces that transport you and bring a sense of serenity or vitality to your space.”
Living in the Ocean State, water is a part of Karen Murphy’s daily life. “I have always felt a deep connection to nature and it’s a constant source of inspiration,” she adds. “The coastal landscapes I paint are drawn from both memory and imagination, inspired by my time near the water. Salt marshes, rolling waves and vast skies hold a quiet presence, yet they also remind me of nature’s immense power—how small we are in the face of the sea and sky. Many of my paintings reflect the peaceful transitional times of day, the glow of first light or the last colors stretching across the horizon. Others capture the stillness of midday, with expansive clouds moving across the sky. Some paintings take the perspective of a sweeping vista, while others bring the viewer right to the shoreline, where waves crash and surge.”
More than a depiction of place, Murphy strives to paint the ineffable—the feeling of being immersed in nature, of memory and atmosphere. Her goal is to transport the viewer to a place they know, even if they’ve never been there.”
Karen Murphy, Tidal Whisper, oil on linen, 24 x 48”
Jess Bell also draws on endless inspiration from the ocean, capturing its ever-changing reflection and moods in her coastal paintings. She meticulously photographs local beaches at all hours, from the soft glow of sunrise to the shimmering afternoon tide, preserving fleeting moments of beauty. Based in New Jersey, she is surrounded by two rivers that feed into the vast Atlantic Ocean, all of which influence her work. “My art is a tribute to nature’s serenity and power,” she says.
For collectors of the genre, bell advises that you choose a piece that evokes a deep sense of calm and connection to the sea.
“The ocean and freshwater lakes are wondrous places rich with activity,” says artist Morag Webster. “Worlds we may not be fully aware of. “I love the challenge of capturing the mesmerizing swirling movements and depths. Creating whorls and undulating lines and patterns suggesting currents or waves, all in an attempt convey both tranquility and energy.” Some of Webster’s paintings are about the life and vitality of the underwater world, others are about capturing a vibrant underwater scene with textured coral formations in bright hues... “[I also] add a touch of realism to suggest this immersion,” she says. “I am inspired to celebrate and share my impressions of these water macrocosms with the purpose of paying note to our responsibility to this natural resource.”
Top: Julia Bright, Inimitable, oil on canvas, 36 x 48”; Julia Bright, Tranquility, oil on birchwood panel, 24 x 36”. Bottom: Jess Bell, A New Day, oil on canvas, 30 x 40”; Morag Webster, Spawning Coral, oil on canvas, 48 x 60”
Growing up near the Baltic Sea in Lithuania, water has always mesmerized and thrilled Julia Bright. But in 25 years of being a professional artist, she has never painted water. “During the pandemic, I experienced a very hard year, along with the rest of the world, so I looked for a way to escape it through my work,” she explains. “I started thinking of things that brought joy throughout my life, and that is how my first paintings of water came into existence. I continue to feel a quiet kind of delight and tranquility while painting water, and I think it shows on the canvas.”
The artist’s seascape piece, Inimitable, came out of Bright’s imagination after hours of observation of waves in Mexico and Hawaii. “The translucent aquamarine-colored water, sandwiched by the deep shadows and the iridescence of the seafoam seemed to paint itself,” she says. “And the water lilies of the lake in Tranquilityare a depiction of a secret lake I found near where I live in Boulder, Colorado.
Karen Murphy, Drifting Dreams, oil on linen, 20 x 60"
You can find both these paintings through the artists website. Additional water paintings by Bright are available through her galleries; Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder, Colorado; Heritage Fine Arts in Taos, New Mexico; and Singulart Gallery in Paris, France. —
Featured Artists & Galleries
Abend Gallery
1261 Delaware Street, Suite 2, Denver, CO 80204
(303) 355-0950 www.abendgallery.com
Adam Hall
www.adamhallart.com
Altamira Fine Art
172 Center Street, Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 739-4700
7038 E. Main Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, (480) 949-1256
connect@altamiraart.com
www.altamiraart.com
Christine Lashley
www.christinelashley.com
www.lashleyartclass.com
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway, Dallas, TX 75261
(214) 528-3500, www.ha.com
Jess Bell
www.jessbellart.com
JG Art Gallery + Events
176 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(435) 901-1463
www.jgartgallery.com
Julia Bright
(303) 919-9635, www.juliabrightart.com
Karen Murphy
karen@karenmurphyfineart.com
www.karenmurphyfineart.com
Instagram: @karen_murphy_fine_art
Morag Webster
www.moragart.com
Principle Gallery
125 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401,
(843) 727-4500 www.principlegallery.com
Stephen Henning
Evansville, MN
(218) 948-2288
www.stephenhenningfineart.com
Powered by Froala Editor
