Lee Mothes | Ocean Art Paintings and Seascape Drawings

Lee Mothes is a professional artist and the creator of Oceans and Dreams, a studio and gallery dedicated to the exploration of ocean energy and imaginary geography. Growing up on the California coast, Lee developed a lifelong fascination with the beauty and power of waves, which remains the central theme of his work. In his studio, he employs various media including acrylic on canvas, graphite, and watercolor to capture the essence of exploding ocean surf, sandy beaches, and the shifting light on the water's surface. His artistic process is often inspired by direct observation and photography from travels to coastal destinations such as California, Oregon, Mexico and Australia. In addition to his seascape paintings and drawings, Lee has developed an extensive world-building project known as "The Commonwealth of New Island." This imaginary island-nation is brought to life through a collection of detailed artifacts, including a 200-page full-color guidebook, intricate road maps, currency, and a 340-page novel," The Hum", that takes place there. The project blends realism with imagination, presenting New Island as an actual place situated off the west coast of Australia with its own unique culture, wildlife, and climate. Lee offers original art, and prints through his Oceans and Dreams studio, and his work is featured in various exhibitions and galleries, such as the Jill Logan Galeria in Todos Santos, Mexico. His portfolio reflects a profound commitment to translating the energy of the natural world and the depth of fictional landscapes into compelling visual narratives.