Stories behind the Art
Art is more than just decoration; it's a story waiting to be told. When you dive into the context behind a piece, it makes the experience even richer. Every artwork in our shop carries a unique narrative—here are some of my favorites.
Floral Debris
When I paint, I always find myself mixing various colors on my palette, often testing them on scrap paper to ensure the hue is just right. The piece “Floral Debris” originated from one of those very tests. Typically, these scraps are discarded, but this particular one captured my attention. The colors, marks, and its effortless quality appealed to me, and it floated around my office for months. Eventually, I scanned it in, intending to preserve the colors and brush strokes before letting it go.
In Photoshop, I began to experiment with the image, and as I replicated and rotated it, the lavender corner revealed itself as a perfect little flower. This transformation turned an accidental creation into something I find genuinely beautiful. Reflecting on this piece makes me smile, as it shows how unexpected moments can become art.
I named it Floral Debris because it reminds me of how a table looks after putting together a bouquet of flowers. A snip here, and leaf falls there, and by the end the table is covered with the beautiful remnants left behind from the act of creating :)
Lately, I’ve been creating what I like to call “Found Pieces”. A similar concept, I’ll take a small square viewfinder and find little beautiful paintings amongst the larger palette tester strips. They are sweet little unplanned but chosen paintings. Often these make perfect pairings for larger pieces especially if they were created together with similar palettes.
Seashells
Sometimes the story is the the process. These seashells were painted on an epic weekend adventure with our friends who invited us to go camping on an island with them. I spent an entire day painting and relaxing. Something about the ocean that just lets you forget about the worries in life. Take a look at some photos from the weekend and I think you’ll see what I mean. Definitely a weekend to remember, and now every time I see my seashell paintings (which is often, because they’ll all over my studio in the form of, well, real seashells, but also prints and gift wrap) I am transported back to all the good vibes of that weekend.
Memory of the Tide
I’ve had several collector’s commission to design pieces to go specifically above their beds or couches, as large work can be hard to come by.
I couldn't find a panel that matched what I envisioned for this, so my dad—who is truly the best—helped me build this one from scratch. My dad was visiting and is the kinda guy who can’t sit still when on vacation. I wanted an inset panel so it’d look like it was floating off of the wall. We took to the garage. He's an incredible craftsman, and bringing this idea to life together made the piece even more meaningful and helped empower me to recreate these on my own. Thank dad!
I wish I snapped a photo of us working together in the garage, but ya know how that goes. Hindsight is 20/20. Here it is mocked up above a couch!
Na Pali
We spent three incredible years in Oahu, Hawai’i, right at the beginning of our marriage, and cherished every moment. During that time, we entered the lottery to hike the stunning Na Pali coast with my sister and brother-in-law—and we got selected! This hike was nothing short of magnificent, leaving an imprint on my heart that feels like a dream I still revisit.
When my daughter was born, my sister wrote her a children’s book based off of our experiences together in Hawai’i. This painting was a result of her writing, and draws inspiration from that unforgettable experience, capturing the essence of our adventure amidst the breathtaking landscapes. I’m still working on the illustrations for the children’s book but hope to share it with you soon.
About the Artist
Amber DeCicco is a watercolor and cyanotype artist inspired by light, water, and the quiet beauty of everyday moments. Her work blends organic movement with thoughtful process, creating artwork designed to bring calm and connection into your home. Explore her original paintings, fine art prints, and creative classes inspired by coastal living.