How This Artist Finds Peace in Water

In this interview, we sit down with painter Teresa Bowyer, whose work draws from the rhythms of nature and the quiet moments often overlooked in our busy lives. Teresa shares how her love for water and the natural world, instilled in her during childhood, continues to shape her creative journey. Living in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, keeps her connected to the lakes, forests, and daily encounters that inspire her studio practice.

She discusses the story behind her award-winning painting, River, her collaboration with musician Olivia Whiddon on the project Written by Water, and how travel, particularly her time in Ireland, has expanded her perspective on landscapes and memory. Through her words, we learn how stillness and subtle detail can carry a sense of renewal, and why her paintings often feel like invitations to pause and reconnect with the natural world.

This conversation is not just about Teresa’s art, but also about what we can learn from it – an awareness of the quiet beauty around us and the space it creates for peace and creativity.

Teresa Bowyer is a featured artist in our book, “100 Emerging Artists 2025” You can explore her journey and the stories of other artists by purchasing the book here:

https://shop.artstoheartsproject.com/products/the-creative-process-book

I believe that we can be revitalised through encounters with the natural world. My art is an invitation to reconnect with those moments, appreciate the beauty around us – whether it’s the vastness of the ocean or the unconditional love of a pet – and reignite our creative spark. From a young age, I was drawn to the tranquillity of water and the vibrant energy of the natural world. As I explored these themes in my art, I realised the profound impact they had on my own sense of well-being and creativity. I was honoured to receive a CollexArt Purchase Award for my painting “River,” which captured the quiet beauty and subtle details of a frozen river. I also received a Multi and Inter-Arts Creation Grant from the Ontario Arts Council for my “Written by Water” project, a collaboration with singer and songwriter Olivia Whiddon that explored the power of water to inspire creativity and connection.

My work is held in private collections worldwide, spanning from Japan to Ireland. I believe that people are drawn to my art because it offers a moment of peace, a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us, and an invitation to reconnect with their own creative spirit. I currently reside in Sioux Lookout, Ontario, where I continue to be inspired by the natural beauty of the Canadian landscape. I invite you to explore my website, connect with me on social media, and discover how my art can help you reconnect with your own sense of wonder.

1.     You describe your art as an invitation to reconnect with nature and moments of quiet beauty. Can you tell us about a recent scene or experience in nature that moved you to create something new?  

Swimming in Pelican Lake was a moment of pure peace. The wind gently moved across the water, creating soft ripples that mirrored the clear blue sky. The stillness and quiet beauty of the scene inspired me to make a painting of waves, capturing the way nature’s rhythms flow together.

2.    Your painting “River” was recognised with the CollexArt Purchase Award. What drew you to that frozen landscape, and what did you notice or learn while working on it?  

In “River,” I was captivated by the contrast between the stillness of the ice and the dark water flowing just beneath its surface. It felt like this hidden, quiet energy was constantly moving, yet locked away beneath the layers of ice. The challenge was in capturing that subtle tension, where the ice appeared solid and unmoving, but you could sense the life flowing below. To convey this, I focused on layering transparent washes to build depth in the ice, using a muted palette to reflect the quiet, cold atmosphere.

The layers of transparency allowed me to capture the complexity of the ice—its texture and the way light shifted through it, creating soft reflections that hinted at the water below. The muted colours came from working with a more restrained palette, blending cool blues, greys, and hints of ochre to evoke the stillness and coldness of the scene, while still allowing the energy of the water to feel present underneath. It was a new approach for me, using the subtle gradations of colour to create that depth, where everything feels suspended in time. The layers of ice and water became metaphors for the layers of experience that lie beneath the surface, hidden yet ever-present.

3.   You’ve collaborated with a musician for your “Written by Water” project. How did working across disciplines shape your creative process or perspective?      

Collaborating with a musician on “Written by Water” was an eye-opening experience. Discussing the imagery in her compositions sparked new ideas and pushed me to explore subject matter I might not have otherwise considered. Her music opened up new ways of thinking about movement, sound, and emotion, which I could translate into my paintings. It was a beautiful exchange that broadened my creative horizons and deepened my connection to both art forms.

The layers of ice and water became metaphors for the layers of experience that lie beneath the surface, hidden yet ever-present.

Teresa Bowyer

4. Spending time in different parts of the world, including your fellowships in Ireland, must have added layers to how you see the natural world. How do those travels continue to shape your work today? 

Travelling, especially during my fellowships in Ireland, has deeply enriched my perspective on the natural world. I keep a bank of videos and images from each place to revisit, allowing me to absorb layers of memory and detail over time. I’ve learned that each visit is just the surface of a place—there’s always more beneath, and that mystery continues to influence my work, pushing me to dig deeper into the essence of landscapes and their stories.

Swimming in Pelican Lake was a moment of pure peace. The wind gently moved across the water, creating soft ripples that mirrored the clear blue sky.

Teresa Bowyer

5.    You mentioned that people are often drawn to your work because it offers a moment of peace. In your view, why do you think that sense of quiet or stillness resonates so much with viewers right now?  

I think the sense of quiet and stillness resonates because we’re living in a time where media, noise, and a fast-paced, overstimulated environment constantly bombard us. Nature, in its simplicity, offers a rare space for peace. My art is an invitation to pause and observe—whether it’s the delicate details of waves, ice, or the quiet flow of water. It’s my way of zooming in on these small, tranquil moments that offer a sense of calm amidst the chaos.

6.   You live in Sioux Lookout, surrounded by lakes and forests. How does living in such an environment influence your day-to-day routine as an artist—and how do you keep that connection with the land alive in your studio practice?   

Living in Sioux Lookout, surrounded by lakes and forests, has a profound influence on my routine. I often find inspiration simply by looking out my window at the water, waves, and reflections. Paddleboarding, along with swims and walks, helps me stay connected to the land, offering a fresh perspective on the natural world. These everyday experiences keep that connection alive and directly shape my studio practice, fueling the details and rhythms I capture in my work.

Teresa Bowyer’s artwork explores the concept of finding calmness and connection through the natural world. From the frozen stillness of a river to the quiet ripples across a lake, her paintings remind us of the beauty that exists in ordinary moments of water, land, and sky.

Through her journey, we learn how slowing down and paying attention can open a space for peace and creativity in our own lives. Her story shows us that art can be a bridge back to nature, grounding us in stillness even in a fast-moving world.

To learn more about Teresa Bowyer, click the following links to visit her profile.

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