There has always been something magical about reading romantic escape novels. Every time I open a book and step into a new story, my mind is transported far beyond the pages. I find myself wandering through beautiful countryside landscapes, charming coastal towns, cozy cottages, blooming gardens, and breathtaking sunsets. Along with the scenery, I experience the emotions, moods, and atmosphere that the author carefully creates.
Reading has never been a passive experience for me. As I read, vivid visuals begin to form in my imagination. I can almost see the colors, feel the light, and sense the emotions hidden within each scene. These moments stay with me long after I close the book.
Over time, I developed a strong urge to express these visuals in my own way. I wanted to bring the images in my mind to life, not through words, but through art. I began researching different ways to capture emotions, moods, and scenery through color and creative expression.
That journey led me to discover acrylic marker paintbrushes.
I explored the way to use the acrylic markers paintbrush and learn how to control its movement and strokes.
The moment I started experimenting with them, I felt an instant connection. I loved how vibrant the colors were and how easily I could layer, blend, and create playful effects in my sketchbook. Since then, I have spent countless hours exploring and experimenting with these wonderful tools, learning how they respond to different techniques and discovering my own artistic voice.
As my interest in painting grew, I continued researching different art styles, searching for one that resonated with the way I saw the world. I knew I was not looking for realism. While I admire realistic artwork, I was more attracted to art that prioritized mood, color, emotion, and atmosphere over exact representation.
That was when I stumbled upon Impressionism.
I give this artwork the title “Discovery”. In this artwork, I combined what I have already experimented with acrylic markers with impressionist style of art. The bottom half is my attempt to do impressionist style.
It was love at first sight.
The loose brushwork, the emphasis on light and color, and the ability to capture a feeling rather than a photograph instantly captivated me. I was fascinated by how Impressionist artists transformed ordinary scenes into emotional experiences through color and movement.
Wanting to deepen my understanding, I enrolled in an online course to learn more about Impressionism. The more I studied the movement, the more I felt at home. Its philosophy aligned perfectly with my artistic goals. I wasn’t interested in painting every detail exactly as it appeared. I wanted to paint how a place felt, how a moment lingered in memory, and how a story touched my heart.
I learned to express myself without any reference photo and called this artwork “Hope”. I finally found an art style that resonates with me.
Today, I am exploring Impressionist painting using my acrylic marker paintbrushes. My inspiration continues to come from the romantic escape novels I love so much. Each book sparks new scenes in my imagination, from golden fields and flower-filled pathways to quiet cafés and dreamy seaside views. Through Impressionist techniques and vibrant colors, I hope to capture the emotions these stories awaken within me.
Reading and painting have become deeply connected parts of my life. One inspires the other. The stories I read become visual memories, and painting allows me to give those memories a physical form. It is a beautiful cycle of creativity that continually brings me joy.
My hope is to continue growing as an artist and to share this journey with others. This online gallery will become a home for the artwork inspired by the novels I cherish, a collection of color-filled impressions born from stories, imagination, and the simple joy of creative expression.
As the great Impressionist master Claude Monet once said, “I must have flowers, always, and always.” His words remind me that beauty surrounds us everywhere, waiting to be noticed and expressed. Like Monet, I hope to continue chasing beauty through color, light, and feeling, transforming the scenes that live in my imagination into paintings that tell stories of their own.
And perhaps that is what art truly is: not merely painting what we see, but sharing what we feel. Through every romantic novel I read and every Impressionist painting I create, I am discovering new ways to do exactly that.
NorahHJ ❤