Contemporary Oil Paintings

by Award-Winning Artist Lisa Elley

Inspired by the Monterey Bay, Sailboats, and the California Coast

Sea of Light
$2,700.00

Original palette knife oil painting
36 × 48 × 1.5 inches

Sea of Light is an original palette knife painting inspired by the rugged beauty of California’s Big Sur coastline. Sweeping turquoise waters, sunlit cliffs, and vibrant spring wildflowers come together in a celebration of the Pacific’s ever-changing light, capturing both the grandeur and tranquility of one of the world’s most breathtaking coastlines.

Painted entirely with a palette knife, rich layers of impasto create a sculptural surface that catches and reflects natural light throughout the day, bringing movement and depth to the ocean, cliffs, and blooming California poppies. Soft lavender lupines and warm coastal tones provide a beautiful contrast against the luminous blues and greens of the sea.

Designed as a statement piece, Sea of Light brings warmth, atmosphere, and a sense of place to living rooms, dining spaces, entryways, offices, and coastal-inspired interiors. It is equally at home in a contemporary residence, luxury retreat, or hospitality setting where timeless California landscapes are celebrated.

Features:

  • Wired, Ready to hang

  • Edges finished, no framing required

  • Unframed: Frame shown for styling only

  • Signed on the front and back

  • Certificate of Authenticity included

  • Complimentary shipping in the U.S

*Ships after 8/1 due to curing time.

Afterglow at Anchor
$2,700.00

Afterglow at Anchor is an original 36 x 48 inch coastal sailboat painting on 1.5 inch gallery-wrapped canvas.

Inspired by an evening on the San Francisco Bay, Afterglow at Anchor captures the quiet beauty of sailboats resting beneath a sky washed in soft blues, blush pinks, and warm ivory. Layers of expressive palette knife texture bring movement to the luminous reflections, while a veil of coastal fog gently softens the distant horizon, where the suggestion of the Golden Gate Bridge quietly emerges through the mist.

Balancing energy with tranquility, this original painting evokes the peaceful moments that settle over the Bay as daylight fades. Its refined palette and timeless coastal atmosphere make it an elegant statement piece for a living room, dining room, entryway, or waterfront-inspired space.

Click here to watch the YouTube walkthrough of my Working Waterfront Collection

Features:

  • Wired, Ready to hang

  • Edges finished, no framing required

  • Unframed: Frame shown for styling only

  • Signed on the front and back

  • Certificate of Authenticity included

  • Complimentary shipping in the U.S

  • Ready to ship

Turquoise Tides
$4,900.00

Fresh off the Easel!
36 x 72” oil on canvas | 2.25” museum edge

Inspired by the rugged coastline of Big Sur, Turquoise Tides captures the moment when land, sea, and sky open into something expansive. Sunlit cliffs frame a winding channel of luminous turquoise water, while wild California poppies and coastal blooms dance in the foreground.

Painted with rich palette-knife texture and layered color, the piece balances energy and serenity, drawing the eye through the cove and toward the distant horizon. The sweeping scale and vibrant coastal palette make it a statement work, bringing both movement and light into a space.

A celebration of the California coast and the beauty found just beyond the bluffs.

Click here to watch the YouTube video walkthrough of this piece.

  • 72 × 36 × 2.25” oil on museum edge archival canvas

  • Wired, ready to hang

  • Sides are painted with continuous colors, no framing required

  • Signed front and back

  • Certificate of Authenticity

Shipping & Delivery

  • Complimentary white glove delivery within the Monterey Peninsula and Bay Area

  • U.S. and International shipping arranged after purchase

  • Options include crated delivery or rolled shipping

  • Shipping costs quoted based on location and preference

New Waterfront Collection

A growing series inspired by working harbors, sailing vessels, reflective waters, and the ever changing light of the California coast.

A cozy living room with a large abstract sailboat painting on the wall, a woven daybed with a beige blanket, a black coffee mug, a book, and a small black stool. A table lamp with a textured round base and a ceramic container are also visible.