Painting the Tidewater series took me on a journey for a year, exactly to the day. I have dabbled in painting other subjects and exploring different painting styles and Tidewater felt like coming home. Water has always called to me, beckoning with its depth and showy treasures sparkling on its shorelines. I began this series by painting Glass Water on my birthday, early in the pandemic when we were all still trying to figure out how to pass the time for a couple of weeks. The later paintings became a journey through my favorite places and sunny days when the gloom felt like it hung over us like a dark cloud that outstayed its welcome. Dark blues mixed with warm undertones sculpted my water and bright moments of joy in warm peaches, pinks, and reassuring greens dotted my coastlines and tree-lined cliffs. Strong rocks and boulders, undeterred by the anxiousness of the world showed up and began anchoring the beaches. This series began out of worry and unrest and journeyed my soul to a place of hopefulness and discernment. I feel most tranquil when I am by the water, and I found my way to a peaceful self while painting the shoreline.