House Portraits on the Water

Why we love watercolor house paintings by the sea or lake.

People are often drawn to homes on the waterside because of the unique combination of beauty, tranquility, and lifestyle that waterfront living offers. Combine those elements in a beautiful home portrait and you have a piece of art that lives on it time, reminding you of all those happy memories.

Whether it’s an ocean, lake, river, or canal, these views create a sense of openness and connection to nature, which many people find calming and inspiring. The beauty of sunrise and sunset over water is often a major draw and can captured in an original custom house portrait.

Here are some key reasons why people love these types of homes:

Michigan Lake summer house portrait
Michigan Lake summer house portrait

Tranquility and Relaxation

Being near water tends to be incredibly peaceful whch can be seen in these custom original home paintings. The gentle sounds of waves, the sight of rippling water, and the slower pace of life in many waterfront locations all contribute to a sense of relaxation and stress reduction. This peaceful environment can be an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Watercolor home painting of stunning home in Pennsylvania
Watercolor home painting of stunning home in Pennsylvania
Summer family getaway turning into lakeside house portrait
Summer family getaway turning into lakeside house portrait

Outdoor Activities

Living by the water opens up a range of recreational opportunities right outside your door. People who enjoy boating, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or swimming love having easy access to these activities and I love to include these elements in my custom home portraits. The natural beauty of the area also encourages outdoor exploration like hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography.

Newport Beach holiday house portrait on the sea
Newport Beach holiday house portrait on the sea
Family treasure and Manakawkin New Jersey house portrait on the harbor
Family treasure and Manakawkin New Jersey house portrait on the harbor

Health Benefits

Being near water has been shown to have various health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving mental well-being, and even promoting better sleep. The sound of water is known to have a calming effect on the spirit, and some people feel it can even improve their mood and creativity.  I have been told by clients that  time they look at their holiday house portait they experience these relaxing benefits.

Medina Texas summer custom watercolor home portrait
Medina Texas summer custom watercolor home portrait
Pen and watercolor custom home portrait of family cabin in Minnesota
Pen and watercolor custom home portrait of family cabin in Minnesota

Exclusive and Luxurious Feel

Waterfront properties are often considered prestigious or exclusive due to their location. Surrounded by water, such homes make very unique and original house portriats. There is a sense of luxury and distinction associated with owning a home that sits on or near the water. The scarcity of prime waterfront land also makes these homes highly sought after, which drives up their desirability.

Unique house portrait of Cala Zarca Estate on North Shore of Lake Travis Texas
Unique house portrait of Cala Zarca Estate on North Shore of Lake Travis Texas
Tucked away in Des Plaines IL, this house painting depicts the tranquility of the scene
Tucked away in Des Plaines IL, this house painting depicts the tranquility of the scene

Connection to Nature

Living on the water allows people to feel more connected to nature, which is the quality I work to include in my waterfront home paintings. Waterfront homes often offer more space for gardens and outdoor living, as well as easy access to natural areas like beaches, forests, or wetlands. Many people enjoy the proximity to wildlife, from birds to marine life.

Wesley Chapel Florida home painting
Wesley Chapel Florida home painting
Williamsburg, Michigan custom lake home portrait
Williamsburg, Michigan custom lake home portrait
This family lake house portrait on Northwood Lake, Deerfield NH will be pased down through the generations
This family lake house portrait on Northwood Lake, Deerfield NH will be pased down through the generations

Privacy and Seclusion

Depending on the location, waterfront homes can provide a high level of privacy which is also expressed in an original commissioned painting of your home. Some people love the sense of seclusion they get from being on a property that feels removed from the rest of the world, especially when surrounded by expansive views and nature.

Built into a limestone cliff, this is commissioned house portrait if Edg-Clif in Potosi MO
Built into a limestone cliff, this is commissioned house portrait if Edg-Clif in Potosi MO
Historic lakeside house painting in Watervliet, MI
Historic lakeside house painting in Watervliet, MI
Custom home portrait of house on Northeast Harbor, Maine
Custom home portrait of house on Northeast Harbor, Maine

Investing in a Lifestyle

For many, owning a waterfront home is not just about the property itself but about the lifestyle it offers, which is why I always make a point of including some portion of the water view in the house portrait, and not just the house. People who love entertaining, hosting barbecues, or simply enjoying quiet evenings by the water see these homes as offering a unique living experience that enhances their quality of life.

Watercolor painting of home on the outskirts of Grand Rapids MI
Watercolor painting of home on the outskirts of Grand Rapids MI
House portrait of dream home on water in Waymart PA
House portrait of dream home on water in Waymart PA

Increased Property Value

Waterfront homes tend to hold or increase in value over time, especially in desirable locations.  For that matter, original cuatom house portraits also increase in value over time. Even if someone doesn’t plan to live in the home for a long period, the potential for financial gain from owning a waterfront property can be a strong motivator.

Mediterranean style house portrait on the harbor in Tarpon Springs, Florida
Mediterranean style house portrait on the harbor in Tarpon Springs, Florida
Adorable studio house portrait on the water in Sausalito, CA
Adorable studio house portrait on the water in Sausalito, CA

Aesthetic Appeal

There’s something inherently charming about an original custom painting of a waterfront home. The architecture tends to embrace open, airy spaces with large windows and outdoor terraces, maximizing the views of the water. The flow between indoors and outdoors is often seamless, with balconies, decks, or patios that let homeowners enjoy the view and the surroundings.

In short, people love homes on the waterside because they combine natural beauty with a unique lifestyle, offering peace, luxury, and recreational opportunities in a setting that feels both expansive and intimate.

Home painting on the harbor in Jupiter, Florida
Home painting on the harbor in Jupiter, Florida
Beautiful Mediteranean style home painting in Dunedin Florida
Beautiful Mediteranean style home painting in Dunedin Florida

I hope you have enjoyed this house portrait tour of homes that I have been commissioned to paint in various locations across the United States.

If you have a holiday home that you would like me to capture in a work of art, that can be shared with all family members through the prints I provide, in addition to the original, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Cheers, Leisa

 

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