Secrets by the Sea | French & Italian Riviera Art Print

(5.0)

Some conversations are meant to be overheard. Others remain a mystery.

Inspired by many trips spent people-watching along the French and Italian Rivieras, Secrets by the Sea captures two elegantly dressed women in timeless Riviera style, wearing chic summer fashion and wide-brimmed sun hats as they share a quiet moment overlooking the Mediterranean. Their posture is intimate, their conversation hidden from us, inviting each viewer to imagine their own story. Are they lifelong friends, sisters, strangers who have just met, or confidantes exchanging life-changing news? The unanswered question is what gives the artwork its enduring intrigue.

Created from my original mixed-media marker drawing, this black and white portrait art print combines expressive line work with soft tonal washes, celebrating the effortless sophistication and understated glamour that have long defined the Côte d'Azur. Balancing minimalism with rich texture, it evokes the relaxed rhythm of Mediterranean life while leaving space for memory and imagination. 

Whether it reminds you of afternoons spent on the French Riviera, the Italian coast, or simply your love of timeless style, this contemporary Mediterranean art print brings a quiet sense of elegance and escapism to your home.

 

    $45.00
    Size
    Inspirations

    Secrets by the Sea is inspired by my many travels throughout the French and Italian Rivieras, my fascination with timeless elegance, and countless afternoons spent exploring book markets and antique shops in Paris, Nice and the South of France. Vintage photographs, old postcards, fashion magazines and Riviera cinema have all shaped the atmosphere behind this piece.

    The Côte d'Azur has long attracted remarkable women—from artists and writers to actresses, designers and cultural icons such as Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot and Dalida. Just across the border, the Italian Riviera carries its own effortless glamour and romantic spirit. Together, these places have created an enduring mythology of elegance that continues to inspire me.

    Rather than portraying a specific moment, I wanted to capture a feeling: the quiet intimacy of a shared conversation, the beauty of a fleeting summer afternoon, and the mystery that exists between what we see and what we can only imagine. That sense of curiosity is at the heart of this artwork.

    Secrets by the Sea is inspired by my many travels throughout the French and Italian Rivieras, my fascination with timeless elegance, and countless afternoons spent exploring book markets and antique shops in Paris, Nice and the South of France. Vintage photographs, old postcards, fashion magazines and Riviera cinema have all shaped the atmosphere behind this piece.

    The Côte d'Azur has long attracted remarkable women—from artists and writers to actresses, designers and cultural icons such as Coco Chanel, Brigitte Bardot and Dalida. Just across the border, the Italian Riviera carries its own effortless glamour and romantic spirit. Together, these places have created an enduring mythology of elegance that continues to inspire me.

    Rather than portraying a specific moment, I wanted to capture a feeling: the quiet intimacy of a shared conversation, the beauty of a fleeting summer afternoon, and the mystery that exists between what we see and what we can only imagine. That sense of curiosity is at the heart of this artwork.

    Material & Features

    Reproduced from my original black and white marker drawing on paper.

    Printed on premium uncoated matte paper with a smooth, non-reflective finish.

    Paper weight: 170 gsm (65 lb).

    Paper thickness: 0.19 mm (7.5 mils).

    Printed on FSC-certified or equivalent paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

    Available in a variety of sizes in inches (US & Canada) and centimeters (Europe and the rest of the world).

    Frame not included.

    Reproduced from my original black and white marker drawing on paper.

    Printed on premium uncoated matte paper with a smooth, non-reflective finish.

    Paper weight: 170 gsm (65 lb).

    Paper thickness: 0.19 mm (7.5 mils).

    Printed on FSC-certified or equivalent paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.

    Available in a variety of sizes in inches (US & Canada) and centimeters (Europe and the rest of the world).

    Frame not included.

    Creative Process

    This artwork evolved through multiple stages and mediums before reaching its final form. I began by filling pages of my sketchbook with pencil studies, refining the relationship between the two figures until the composition felt both natural and quietly enigmatic.

    For the final original artwork, I worked on large textured fine art paper, building the drawing with charcoal, pencil and delicate washes of watercolour before gradually layering graphic markers to create depth, contrast and expressive detail. I wanted the figures to feel refined yet spontaneous, balancing realism with a contemporary graphic quality.

    Once the original drawing was complete, I photographed the artwork and refined the tonal range, contrast and highlights to faithfully preserve every subtle texture and nuance in this art print.

    This artwork evolved through multiple stages and mediums before reaching its final form. I began by filling pages of my sketchbook with pencil studies, refining the relationship between the two figures until the composition felt both natural and quietly enigmatic.

    For the final original artwork, I worked on large textured fine art paper, building the drawing with charcoal, pencil and delicate washes of watercolour before gradually layering graphic markers to create depth, contrast and expressive detail. I wanted the figures to feel refined yet spontaneous, balancing realism with a contemporary graphic quality.

    Once the original drawing was complete, I photographed the artwork and refined the tonal range, contrast and highlights to faithfully preserve every subtle texture and nuance in this art print.