I was thinking about water this evening. I’ve always believed that water isn’t just something I use in my studio; it’s a collaborator. While many artists might fear the unpredictability of a wet canvas, I love taking a risk. For me, intuitive abstract art is as much about the touch and the feeling of the water as it is the movement on the surface. As a Laguna Beach artist, water surrounds me and influences every mark I make. I embrace what happens next.
What is Fluid Painting?
In my work, fluid painting is about intuition. It is about the movement on the surface. I don’t just “apply” paint. I embrace what happens next. To make this work, I use professional-grade materials. I love using Golden and Nova Color Paints. They are high-quality and transparent. This transparency is essential. It helps my paintings create incredible depth and dimensions.
It is a process of surrender. You guide the medium. But you never fully own it. Each layer tells a story. You can see through the “now” into the “before.” This mirrors the way light moves through deep water.
The Science of the “Blue Mind”
“Blue Mind” is a meditative state. We enter it when we are near water. It lowers our stress. It stops the “Red Mind” of anxiety.
In this state, the brain resets. The barrier between the artist and the canvas vanishes. You stop “thinking” about the art. You start flowing with it. This is why fluid painting feels so natural to me. It connects my brain to the water’s movement.
The Magic of Felix: Where the Current Began
To understand my passion, you must look at my roots. Long before Laguna Beach, there was Băile Felix.
Felix is in Oradea, Romania. It is one of the oldest thermal spas in Europe. The Romans used these waters for healing. The water bubbles up from the earth. It is warm and rich with minerals.
As a child, I loved the magic of it.
Felix was a sensory explosion:
- The Steam: Outdoor pools were covered in thick mist. It felt like walking through a dream.
- The Lilies: Rare thermal lilies grew there. They survived the Ice Age in the warm water.
- The Crowd: This stood out to me the most.
The pools were filled with people. It was a sea of humanity. I loved that energy. It was loud and joyful. I felt a deep sense of belonging there.
I can still remember the sound of their voices echoing off the water, mingling with the heavy, mineral-rich steam that clung to the air. The contrast of the bright thermal lilies blooming against the thick mist felt like a different world. That childhood energy—loud, warm, and unpredictable—is the exact energy I channel when manipulating a wet canvas.
Felix taught me my first lesson. Water is a living thing. It has weight. It has warmth. It brings people together. That same social energy now lives in my fluid painting.
The Symphony of the Tide
That “Felix feeling” stayed with me. It is why I moved to Laguna Beach.
I traded the thermal springs for the Pacific Ocean. I traded the lilies for sea kelp. But the truth is the same. Water connects my childhood to my current canvas.
The sound here is everything. I love the rhythm of the ocean. I listen to the waves as they come in and go out. It is a constant, breathing pulse. It reminds me that life is always in motion.
Standing on the shore, feeling the cool mist on my skin and the physical vibration of the waves hitting the sand, I am reminded of the immense forces of nature. The smell of salt and sea kelp grounds me. This powerful, rhythmic environment is what fuels my calming Abstract Expressionism. It provides a vast, expansive energy that I pour directly into my work as a Laguna Beach artist.
Bringing the Flow to Hospitality
Because water is a universal healer, I have found a new passion. I want to bring this “Blue Mind” energy into public spaces. Hermosa Way showing at Artspace Warehouse.
“You can view Clara Berta’s latest collection, including her mesmerizing fluid painting series, at Artspace Warehouse in Los Angeles.”
Recently, I had a wonderful meeting with Daniel Fine Art Services. I loved meeting Dean Daniel and his team. I also met Evelyn Daniel, the company’s founder. She has run her business for 40 years. That is very impressive.
We talked about what works for hotels. They loved my darker work. These pieces are airbrushed first. Then, I add vibrant acrylic paint colors on top. It creates great movement.
They mentioned “how much the light is reflected in my work,” which is beautiful to see in person. They told me it reminded them of another well-known artist. That is a huge compliment.
![Large-scale abstract fluid painting titled 'Magical Night' by Clara Berta. The composition features deep indigo, midnight blue, and black hues contrasted with luminous [insert highlight colors, e.g., gold or silver] pouring patterns. The fluid acrylic technique creates marble-like veins and ethereal gradients that mimic a celestial or nocturnal landscape.](https://bertaart.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Magical-Night-Setting.jpg.webp)
The Real-World Mess: The Backyard Cement Disaster
Of course, creating these large-scale pieces is not always tidy. Fluid painting is wild.
When I mix water and acrylics, the flow is massive. Sometimes, I work at my parents’ place. I remember one specific backyard cement disaster. I was working with deep blues and teals. The bucket tipped.
The paint flowed like a river onto the backyard concrete. There was a moment of panic. My parents saw the blue river spreading across the patio. It looked like a permanent tide pool on the ground.
The thick, deep blue acrylic looked shocking against the pale grey concrete. There was a frantic energy as I tried to stop the flow, the air suddenly smelling strongly of wet paint. Scrubbing it away was a physical battle, demanding raw muscle and endless buckets of water. Yet, this chaotic mess is a necessary part of the creative journey for any intuitive abstract art.
Cleaning paint off dry cement is a battle. It took hours of scrubbing. It took muscle. It took a lot of water.
Over time, I also learned how to clean it up quickly. You have to move fast before the pigment sets. But you also have to have some patience with the process. You can’t rush the restoration of the stone.
I’ve learned a secret. Cleaning is part of the creative process. Wiping spills is a mental reset. It clears my physical space and my mind. The mess is not a mistake. It is proof that the water was moving. It marks the end of one journey. It prepares me for the next.
The Physics of the Pour: Control vs. Surrender
People often ask how I control the mess. The answer is: I don’t. I negotiate with it.
I watch the physics of the drip and the rhythm of the pour. I notice how the water finds the path of least resistance.
There is a deep sense of control involved, but also a “letting go” factor—which is key. You can’t force water to do exactly what you want. If you try to dominate it, the painting feels stiff.
Instead, I guide it. I nudge the colors. I tilt the canvas. I use my hands to feel the weight of the water. This balance between my intention and the water’s nature is key. It’s all about finding a way to make it all work together.
Creating Balance and Bravery
I do love taking risks. My mentor once noticed this about me. I am not afraid of what happens on the canvas.
However, art—like life—requires balance. You don’t just throw paint down and hope for the best. You allow the flow while keeping a gentle, steady hand. This is the heart of the inner intuitive process.
I am looking for that sweet spot. It is the place where the movement of the paint meets the stillness of the mind.
3 Ways Water Teaches Creative Resilience:
The Art of Letting Go: Water cannot be forced; it must be guided. It teaches us to release rigid control, trust the journey of the paint, and embrace beautiful accidents.
The Magic of the Wait: Puddles of water and pigment change drastically as they dry. Patience allows the true depth, transparency, and unexpected textures to reveal themselves.
Washing Away the Noise: The physical act of working with water serves as a sensory reset, clearing the mind of anxiety and leaving space for intuition.
Knowing When to Stop
In fluid painting, intuition is everything. I listen to my inner voice. I watch the paint move.
The most important step is knowing when to stop. You must step back. You must say, “I am done.” I wait for that voice. It tells me when the balance is reached. Water brings us clarity. It washes away the noise. It leaves us with a reflection of ourselves. When we stop resisting the flow, the water carries us. It takes us exactly where we need to be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is fluid painting in abstract art?
Fluid painting is a technique where thinned paints are poured or guided across the canvas. Rather than using traditional brushstrokes, the artist relies on gravity and fluid dynamics. This creates organic, unpredictable movement that results in truly intuitive abstract art.
How do you create depth in fluid acrylic paintings?
Creating depth requires high-quality, transparent paints, like Golden and Nova Color. By layering these transparent colors over one another, light is able to pass through the multiple layers. The final effect is much like looking down into deep, moving water.
What is the “Blue Mind” state?
The “Blue Mind” is a meditative, calm state humans enter when near, in, or under water. In art, tapping into this psychological shift helps remove daily anxiety and “Red Mind” stress, allowing for pure, intuitive creation and calming Abstract Expressionism.
Why is abstract art effective in hospitality and hotel spaces?
Abstract pieces—especially those inspired by water—act as visual retreats. They bring a calming, “Blue Mind” energy into busy lobbies and provide a sophisticated visual experience. The movement and light reflection in the art elevate the space into a true sanctuary.
Where can I see original fluid painting in Los Angeles or Laguna Beach?
You can view my latest fluid painting collections at Artspace Warehouse in Los Angeles. Additionally, as a Laguna Beach artist, I welcome collectors for private studio visits to experience the depth, movement, and light reflection of the artwork in person.