Why I Use Fluid Art to Create Calm Spaces

This banner image features Poseidon II, an original fluid art piece by Monique Turczynski. Inspired by the flow of energy, compassion, and nature’s quiet strength, the painting uses layered pours and organic cell structures in deep blues, turquoise, and sandy neutrals. It reflects the therapeutic process behind Monique’s work and her belief in art’s ability to bring peace and calm into everyday spaces.

When I discovered fluid art, something clicked. There’s a kind of alchemy in it – the slow pour, the swirling colours, the way everything flows and reacts. It’s all very ironic, because I dropped Science the second I could in high school – little did I know I’d become obsessed with a style of artwork that relied on chemical reactions for its unique look. Fluid art became my ritual. And the more I poured, the more I realised: this is meditation. Just messier. And more colourful.

There’s something truly powerful about the way art can shift the energy of a space. It’s why we hang certain pieces in our bedrooms or living rooms, why some colours make us feel calm while others spark inspiration. For me, creating calm spaces through fluid art isn’t just the outcome – it’s the intention behind every piece I make.

But What is Fluid Art?

Fluid art is a form of abstract painting where acrylic paints are mixed with a pouring medium to create organic, flowing patterns on canvas. Unlike traditional brushwork, the paint is poured, swirled, tilted and layered to produce spontaneous compositions that look like waves, galaxies, or energy fields. No two paintings are ever the same.

This method appeals to collectors and creators alike for its rich colour palettes, captivating textures and sense of motion. But beyond its visual beauty, fluid art has an incredible ability to affect our emotional and mental states.

Why Calm Art Matters

Long story short: we’re overstimulated. Experts estimate the average person may now be exposed to thousands of adverts each day (some say 4,000‑10,000). No wonder we’re all buzzing like mismatched Bluetooth speakers. On top of that, we’re seeing everything on social media from strangers deep-cleaning their baseboards at 6am to cats crapping into actual toilets – and somehow, we’re meant to feel inspired by it all. We’re comparing. We’re overwhelmed. We’re oversimulated.

Art that whispers instead of shouts? Majorly underrated. 

Scientific research backs it up: a study in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that just 45 minutes of creative activity significantly reduces cortisol (the stress hormone). Another study published in Frontiers in Psychology explored how viewing visual art activates the brain’s reward centres, even increasing blood flow to the prefrontal cortex – that’s the part of your brain that helps regulate emotions and decision-making.

Long story short? Art helps us regulate. And when it’s fluid art – with its oceanic forms and organic movement – for me, it taps into something primal. Something familiar. Like waves lapping at the shore, or clouds shifting across a quiet sky.

Painting as a Meditative Practice

When I pour, I enter a deeply focused, almost meditative state. Hours can pass in the studio without me even noticing. The act of mixing paint, watching it flow, tilting the canvas and observing how the cells expand and interact – it’s immersive and calming. I often refer to it as my therapy. There’s a sense of surrender, because while I control the materials and colour choices, the final composition is always a little bit of a surprise.

This process is especially true of works like Poseidon II. The artwork was born from a place of deep reflection and gratitude. After overcoming personal challenges and being supported by family, friends and even first responders, I began to view art as a vessel for emotional energy. In Poseidon II, the cells move outward like echoes of kindness rippling through the world. I add tiny dots and details over the top of the dried pour – like constellations or maps of connection.

Art as Energy in the Home

When people tell me they bought Estuary to feel closer to the ocean, or that Cosmic Dust brings serenity to their lounge room, I feel such fulfilment. Those pieces were made from a state of calm and they seem to carry that energy with them into their new homes.

Estuary is inspired by the gentle push and pull of tidal flows. The natural movement in the composition mirrors the repetitive flow of the ocean, giving it a hypnotic quality.

In Cosmic Dust, meanwhile, soft lavender, pinks and blues swirl together like distant galaxies. It evokes peace, stillness and awe – the same feeling you get when staring at the ocean or sky. I truly believe that just like ocean sounds are used in meditation, the movement and organic shapes in fluid art can bring the same peaceful energy into our daily lives.

Why Colours and Forms Matter

In colour psychology, blues and greens are often associated with tranquility, clarity and nature. In fluid art, where these colours are allowed to swirl, expand and interact freely, they feel even more alive. Unlike rigid geometric paintings, fluid art moves like water – it breathes.

That natural fluidity creates harmony within a room. Instead of demanding attention, it invites presence. Instead of feeling cluttered or overstimulating, it feels expansive.

For collectors and stylists, fluid art offers something unique. It’s both dramatic and soft. It can be the centrepiece of a gallery wall or the quiet touch that completes a reading nook. Because each piece is made with intention and is completely one of a kind, it carries authenticity and warmth.

From the Studio to Your Space

All of my prints, including Cosmic Dust, and Estuary, are available as premium giclée prints on 310gsm cotton rag paper. They’re made to order locally in NSW and shipped in protective tubes, signed and packed with care. I love knowing that each one goes from a moment of meditative creation in my studio, to becoming a part of someone else’s sanctuary.

If you’re curious about bringing calm into your home through fluid art, take a moment to browse the collection here. Each piece is designed to soothe, inspire and reconnect you with the beauty of flow.