Underwater



One of my favorite things to do, is to make art based on my dreams, especially while pregnant. Dreams when you're pregnant tend to be a little on the strange side and more vivid.  I think it might  have something to do with the extra boost of hormones from the baby, but they sure are unusual. When I was pregnant with Nora, I had nothing but vampire and zombie dreams.

I had this dream I was swimming under water and I was surrounded by gold fish. I remember the goldfish were swimming around me and I would try to swat them away.  When I was able to hit one, they would keep swimming but turn sparkly and blinding.  The water was cool and I can still feel how it felt on my skin.

Making art based on dreams, it reminds me that I can make whatever type of art I want.  It can be good, it can be bad but it's more about the stream of consciousness. Sometimes I think I get so wrapped up in an idea or a project, that I forget about letting in room for the unexpected and letting accidents happen. Dreams are probably one of the most unexpected, since there is no control and it's letting go to your subconscious.  Letting accidents happen in your work is one of the best things about being a creative, don't you think?

PS This print is available in my etsy shop.

15 comments

Tales of Whimsy said...

Pregnancy dreams are soooooooooo trippy aren't they?

tina bumblebee said...

That is a pretty crazy dream! But the art it inspired is pretttttty cool :)

http://evaettorocoro.com/ said...

love this painting. It's true that when we are pregnant we have the special dreams! I prefer the fishes that the zombies !! ;)

Melissa Marie said...

Dreams are definitely interesting at times! :) I love your art work and the goldfish is my favorite! :)

Rach said...

I hadn't thought about it, but reading this makes me realize that it's been awhile since I had a dream I remembered which is odd for me because I normally remember them every night. Anyway, very cool art!

Megan Gray said...

I love this! Great work!

Sarah said...

What a cool/crazy dream! Pregnancy dreams are definitely out there! I love the way you painted it. I've always though goldfish were so beautiful!

rooth said...

Oh I really like this one - it's one of my favourites that you've done. Yes, the dreamworld is a wonderful place and it slips away so quickly too. Glad you were able to capture this one (and so vividly as well)

Lyda LaRae said...

Great painting. Pregnancy dreams are amazing, right? thanks for sharing yours.

Chrissy said...

It's amazing! Love the colors! xxx

Erin said...

I have to agree with you. When it comes to creative accidents, they generally are happy accidents that have a way of working out and making you feel like they weren't really all that "accidental" after all. At least that's true for me. Love this print, Erika! xo

Nancy @ Neatly-Packaged said...

I love the colors!! :)

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Hena Tayeb said...

i love that..
pregnancy dreams sure are crazy..

Hena Tayeb said...

i love that..
pregnancy dreams sure are crazy..

Unknown said...

"serendipity" is the word that comes to mind - a happy accident!

dreams are so vivd in our minds, but usually difficult to put into words so i think it's fantastic that you have the talent to use the inspiration to make art. this print is lovely!