Where the Sea Meets the Soul — My Life on the Llŷn Peninsula

The coast of the Llŷn Peninsula is more than just where I’m from—it’s my homeland, my heartland. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been born by the sea. Though life took me away for college and work, I never truly settled elsewhere. I always longed to return to the place where I felt safe, grounded, and inspired—walking the rugged coastline with the wind in my hair and salt on my skin.

For as long as I can remember, the sea has been more than a subject in my art—it’s been a companion, a muse, and a mirror. Its moods shift like mine do: serene one day, tempestuous the next. In every brushstroke of my seascapes, I try to capture not just the look of the ocean, but the feeling of it. The way the salt air clings to your skin. The way waves whisper secrets only the shore can hear.

There’s a moment—just before the tide turns—when the ocean seems to hold its breath. That pause, that hush, is where my art begins.

A Living Canvas…

Unlike mountains or forests, the sea never stays still. It’s a living canvas—constantly redrawing itself with wind, light, and time. That impermanence fascinates me. I chase it with paint, knowing I’ll never quite catch it. But in the attempt, I find something honest. Something human.

My palette is shaped by the sea’s moods and the season:

Soft greys and cobalt blues for quiet winter mornings
Bold indigos and teals for winter stormy skies
Golden hues for those rare, glowing sunsets that feel like a gift

Winter stormy skies - Acrylic and oil pastel on Khadi paper

Each painting is a dialogue between me and the water. Sometimes it’s gentle. Sometimes it argues back.

work in progress - using acrylic inks on canvas

Painting in the Wild…

When I head down to the beach to sketch or paint, I travel light—just my art rucksack, sketchbooks, and small canvases. I love working outdoors because the weather, whatever it may be—windy, wet, cold, or hot—demands instinctive responses. It keeps me present. It keeps me honest.

This past year, I’ve started bringing my phone to capture video snippets of these moments. Sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses on Instagram has become a way to invite others into my process—to show not just the finished piece, but the journey behind it.

“Light dancing on the incoming tide” - photographing my acrylic painting on Dinas Dinlle beach.

The Ocean’s Echo…

People often tell me my seascapes make them feel calm, nostalgic, or even a little melancholic. That’s the magic of the ocean—it speaks to something deep inside us. Something ancient and universal.

What does the sea mean to you? I’d love to hear your stories, memories, or reflections. Drop a comment below or connect with me on social media. And if one of my paintings speaks to you, I hope it brings a little piece of the ocean into your world.

This is where my spirit breathes.