A Zen Playlist for Watercolorists

I sit down with water and I come up with art.

That’s my motto as a watercolorist.

A Zen moment of living.

Music deepens my creative Zen experiences of painting.

The musical notes are like water drops on the blank watercolor paper.

In my playlist, the rolling waves of sound drift from gentle mesmerizing songs to rapid crashing beats, inspiring my brush strokes across the empty page.

“Zen is not some fancy, special art of living.”

~ Shunryu Suzuki

Suzuki, who was the founding father of Zen in America, goes on to explain the practice of Zen in his book Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: Informal talks on Zen meditation and practice.

It’s in the ordinary moments in which we find the bliss, the calmness that comes with practicing Zen.

For me, painting watercolors is a space in which I let go, forgetting about all the worries in the world (which is way too many these days, especially as a mom of an Autistic kid).

Oftentimes, my painting moment begins all choppy with the frustrations of the day coming onto the page. The watercolor is forgiving, thankfully. The drops of paint swirl, going in their own direction, creating an image of other places.

All the anxiety and exhaustion of my day is gone by the time I’m done painting.

That’s the Zen of it, as the rolling waves of music accompany the art.

My Zen playlist for Watercolorists includes songs about water, the sound of ocean waves, and also some tantric beats.

A rolling wave of music to inspire Watercolorists begins here!

Tycho ~ Japan (feat. Saint Sinner)

The wave of music starts off soft and calm like an ocean on summer’s day. The rhythm builds up and crashes into gossamer lyrics sung by vocalist Saint Sinner.

The song is ideal for painting as it’s a mix of ambience and words that’ll easily slip you into a meditative space.

Follow the Ocean ~ Ziggy Alberts

The song is like being immersed in water while you paint.

Ziggy Alberts’ Australian voice is sexy and resonates with reflection of the ocean waters.

Fake Palindromes ~ Andrew Bird

This guy is a wizard! A magician with music. Honestly, any of his songs are perfect for a Zen playlist for Watercolorists.

But I love this song, especially.

It’s got a calming pizazz that’ll take yourself out of yourself, but still incredibly centering.

I love using his songs for my Insta reels. Take a listen and a look!

On the 1 ~ MaMuse

I love storytelling in songs. It’s like a musical Audible Book. MaMuse is from Chico, California. They’ve got a free flowing vibe in which you’ll get lost.

On the 1 is a song of traveling along Highway One — a road that weaves along the edge of California where the Pacific rolls in.

Listening to a story-song allows the mind to drift, relax into the moment.

You Are Here ~ The Wailin’ Jennys

This song is all very Zen. The singers voices are dreamy and uplifting, evoking a sense of standing along the edge of the ocean.

Their lyrics go:

you are here and born with fire and desire

You're the only one can stand in your own way

Tundra Beats ~ Perfect Day

I love “Zenning” out and listening to this song on repeat. It’s such an uplifting and whimsical tune. Perfect for spacing out while doodling or painting.

Here’s one of my doodling moments before applying the watercolors.

Take a listen!

Meditation Beach ~ Ocean Sounds

Speaking of the ocean, I’ve found this song to one of the better version of waves rolling in.

It’s simply the ocean doing what it does best: being Zen.

The track is a long one, coming in at 16 minutes or so. A perfect place for it in the Zen Playlist, as by now, you’ve hopefully worked through the distractions in your mind, arriving a place of calmness.

Do You Believe in Magic? ~ The Lovin’ Spoonfuls

I’ll bring my playlist to an end with this last song that’ll get you moving and grooving back into the ordinary world.

Follow the link to feel the Zen magic of music!

The Zen Playlist for Watercolorists

Copyright © 2021 Jesi Wright