10 of the Best Seascape Artists of 2021
Calm, relaxed, inspired: How does the sea make you feel? It’s no surprise that the soothing effect of the coast makes it one of the most sought after landscapes on Bluethumb. So much so, our beach and seascape collection was created in tribute to Australia’s 50,000 kilometres of coastline and the nation’s love of salt, sand and surf. We’ve collated ten of our best seascape artists who are literally making waves in aquatic and marine scenery – dive in to the list to give your home a seaside view, wherever you may be.
1. The Impressionistic Seascape: Katie Wyatt
With a signature impressionistic approach, Katie Wyatt‘s coastline paintings are produced entirely from memory. Katie has been painting since 2007 and aims to make art that people can connect with. Her richly textured seascapes are the main body of her artistic work, and are usually created using oil paint, brushes and palette knives. They are deliberately pared back to focus on the outlines of forms, while the level horizon grounds the composition and holds the eye of the viewer. Thick swathes of oil paint define the features of these iconic Australian shores, and depict the strongest outlines within Katie’s memory of these vistas.
Setting Sail by Katie Wyatt conveys the movement and fleeting nature of the memory of this seascape.
View Katie’s portfolio of seascapes here.
2. Seascape Meets Portraiture: Amanda Cameron
Amanda Cameron‘s background as a graphic and web designer feeds into her experimental nature and love of bold colours. Portraiture is a frequent feature in Amanda’s work, and much of her portfolio uses oils as a choice of medium. Throughout each painting, Amanda depicts the interaction between water, light and form in these aquatic environments.
Turbulence is one of Amanda’s ‘Swimmer Series’ of paintings and is an investigation into the interaction and connection between light, water and form.
Browse Amanda Cameron’s artwork here.
3. The Textured Seascape: Claire McCall
Claire McCall in her studio.
“It was the exhibition of an artist that flicked the artistic switch for me in my early thirties.” Fifteen years on and, along the way, Claire McCall has refined her skills and found her distinctive style of visual texture and bold brushstrokes. “Originally‚ I picked up the palette knife to loosen my painting technique,” Claire explains. “With a brush in hand‚ I was often tempted to agonise over the detail. I actually love the loss of control that the knife provides and the application of oil paint with its buttery texture.”
The sun is out; waves are rolling in….a perfect late afternoon for this Wave Chasers at Noosa Beach!
Discover more of Claire’s seascapes here.
4. The Dreamscape Seascape: Kat Las
Self-taught artist Kat Las compares painting to poetry. “It weaves a story through tone, hue, shade, texture and instinct. I find fulfilment, gratification, and tranquillity throughout this experience.” Kat occasionally explores different techniques and enjoys applying new styles and mixing bold, vivid colours with the simplicity of calming colours in her seascapes.
Dreamland by seascape artist Kat Las.
Explore Kat’s wispy beach scenes here.
5. The Contemporary Seascape: Liliana Gigovic
Liliana in front of two of her pieces at Bluethumb’s Melbourne Gallery launch, October 2019.
As part of a creative family, it was only natural that bestseller Liliana Gigovic would take to a career in art. Typical features of her renowned style involve a combination of thick paint, a palette knife and experimenting with different colour tones to create a contemporary feel. Through her work, Liliana taps into nature and takes inspiring outlooks onto canvas.
Whitsunday Islands was inspired by a previous trip Liliana Gigovic took to the area.
Click here to shop Liliana’s profile.
6: A Life Aquatic: Matty Smith
The man behind the scuba mask: Matty Smith
UK-born award-winning photographer Matty Smith has made his name introducing our dry world to a wet and aquatic one. “Underwater photography allows me to visually communicate to the viewer the majestic feelings of scuba diving and the incredible interactions between myself and rarely seen creatures of our oceans in their natural habitat,” explains Matty. “I want to generate a compassion in people of how wonderful our seas are and how important it is to treat them with respect.”
“The small and secluded village of Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay is renowned for its pristine, powdery white sand which is so fine it ‘squeaks’. Here crystal clear waters lap onto the white sandy shore inviting me in.” Liquid Lined by Matty Smith
Find out more about Matty Smith in our recent interview or explore Matty’s scenes of aquatic life here.
7. Seascapes Semi-Abstracted: Pip Phelps
The nostalgia we get when we reminisce over our favourite seascapes is part of the process for Pip Phelps. A WA resident, Pip regularly brings the state’s sublime beach vistas to canvas through her own perspective, creating a semi-abstract take to the turquoise waters she paints. Her work is often described as fun, vivid and expressive, with a relatable approach to her work. Unsurprisingly, Pip has been climbing the ranks in popularity over the last few years, with no signs of stopping anytime soon.
Pip Phelps notes her love of mid-century architecture and palm springs as influence of this piece, Breeze Block Daydream, which sings of romantic summer days.
Travel through Pip Phelps’s portfolio here.
8. The Fantastic Seascape: Donald James Waters OAM
With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, contemporary artist Donald James Waters carries a body of work that transcends many genres to create a truly unique, yet ever evolving and eclectic style. Expect stylised strokes, overemphasised characters and bold blocks of colour that shift Donald’s primary focus to that of a storyteller, rather than a technically correct traditional artist.
Never Ending Journey by Donald James Waters OAM infuses energy similar to that of romanticised memory within the artwork.
See more of Donald’s notable work here.
9. Exploring Identity in Environments: Sara Roberts
Growing up and spending extensive time in various countries has given Sara Roberts an insight into feeling foreign that surpasses most. Often meditating on specific locations, her work reflects memories of places that she has been, interwoven with more idyllic and imagined elements of the environment. As a result, Sara’s sublime seascapes are nostalgic and evocative, but also whimsical and ethereal in nature.
Sara captures the eternal spirit of summer in this stunning piece, Summer at the Bower.
Dive further into Sara’s seascapes here.
10. A Maritime Favourite: Marian Quigley
In Sea/Me, Marian’s self-portrait shows her closeness to the sea – both physically and spiritually. “This is the second self portrait I’ve completed – both have been challenging. It’s quite difficult working from a mirror image, particularly when the mirror smashes to the ground. Maybe that was a sign to stop!”
Marian Quigley‘s achievements are admirably extensive, to say the least. With an acclaimed portfolio of portraiture and seascapes, Marian’s distinctive painting style incorporates minimalism, hard edge abstraction, vibrant colour and flowing line. Influences such as Gauguin and other Post-Impressionists provided a formative backbone to Marian’s work; the simplicity and bold design of Japanese woodcuts and the organic, flowing line of Art Nouveau are also visible in her trademark artistic style.
Bon Voyage was Marian Quigley’s finalist entry in the ANL Maritime Art Prize 2020. The painting is a continuation of Marian’s Migration series, which draws on memories of her childhood migration to Australia. Streamers – a link between ship and shore – are a common symbol used throughout the series.
The sea is a recurrent motif in Marian’s work and memory is a theme in her recent series, Migration, recalling her childhood migration by sea. Her seascapes are often unpopulated, highlighting their elemental and spiritual nature. Perhaps unsurprisingly, she is a four-time finalist in the ANL Maritime Award. Other winning highlights include being a finalist in the Portia Geach Memorial Award and the Southern Buoy Portrait Prize.
Ready to bring the ocean home? Discover works from the top ten and other bestselling and emerging artists in our recent Sensational Seascapes curation or browse the full beach and seascape collection.
Wow -thanks Bluethumb 🥰
How could you leave out Roy Gonzalez Tabora? He’s mastered the techniques required to make a seascape have life, not just a style of painting
Hi there,
This list looks at artists who are with Bluethumb specifically 🙂 I hope this helps with your enquiry.
Grace @ Bluethumb
I agree with every factor that you have pointed out. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts on this.