“Cottage by the Sea” was inspired by some of my most treasured childhood memories growing up along the coast of Wilmington, NC. As a little girl, my mother would often take me to visit my Aunt Ivy and Uncle (John) Kelly at their charming waterfront cottage off Middle Sound Loop Road, overlooking Figure 8 Island. Long before I understood why, I was always deeply excited to go there. Looking back now, I realize it was more than simply visiting family — there was something truly special about that coastal place and the feeling it gave me, where time seemed to slow down. A feeling of peace, comfort, connection, and the kind of quiet joy that stays with you long after childhood has passed.
Their cottage sat along the water with a beautiful dock stretching into the sound, surrounded by crab pots, salty breezes, and the soothing rhythm of coastal life. I can still remember standing beside Uncle Kelly as he pulled crab pots from the water, completely fascinated, before eagerly following Aunt Ivy into the kitchen to “help” her make the most incredible crab dip I have ever tasted. To this day, the smell or taste of crab dip instantly carries me back to those moments and the warmth that filled that little cottage by the sea.
When creating this painting, I wanted to capture the essence of that feeling — nostalgic, relaxed, and deeply rooted in the simple beauty of coastal living. I intentionally challenged myself artistically by loosening my natural tendency toward realism, allowing the watercolor medium to move more freely and organically across the paper. By softening details and embracing a more relaxed approach, I hoped to convey the gentle salt air, the distant ocean sounds, and the sense of calm that lingers within those cherished childhood memories and forever draws me to the sea.
My hope is that “Cottage by the Sea” offers you a momentary escape from the rush of everyday life — inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the simple places and memories that continue to call us back to what matters the most.
“Cottage by the Sea” was inspired by some of my most treasured childhood memories growing up along the coast of Wilmington, NC. As a little girl, my mother would often take me to visit my Aunt Ivy and Uncle (John) Kelly at their charming waterfront cottage off Middle Sound Loop Road, overlooking Figure 8 Island. Long before I understood why, I was always deeply excited to go there. Looking back now, I realize it was more than simply visiting family — there was something truly special about that coastal place and the feeling it gave me, where time seemed to slow down. A feeling of peace, comfort, connection, and the kind of quiet joy that stays with you long after childhood has passed.
Their cottage sat along the water with a beautiful dock stretching into the sound, surrounded by crab pots, salty breezes, and the soothing rhythm of coastal life. I can still remember standing beside Uncle Kelly as he pulled crab pots from the water, completely fascinated, before eagerly following Aunt Ivy into the kitchen to “help” her make the most incredible crab dip I have ever tasted. To this day, the smell or taste of crab dip instantly carries me back to those moments and the warmth that filled that little cottage by the sea.
When creating this painting, I wanted to capture the essence of that feeling — nostalgic, relaxed, and deeply rooted in the simple beauty of coastal living. I intentionally challenged myself artistically by loosening my natural tendency toward realism, allowing the watercolor medium to move more freely and organically across the paper. By softening details and embracing a more relaxed approach, I hoped to convey the gentle salt air, the distant ocean sounds, and the sense of calm that lingers within those cherished childhood memories and forever draws me to the sea.
My hope is that “Cottage by the Sea” offers you a momentary escape from the rush of everyday life — inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the simple places and memories that continue to call us back to what matters the most.
