Toward Myself - Long Horizontal Blue Ocean (2026) Original Oil Painting by Julia Shilo

Toward Myself
Size: 110 × 30 cm
Materials: oil on canvas
Unframed.
Shipped rolled in a tube.

Toward Myself is a reflection on the quiet courage required to follow one's own path. Through the image of a mermaid moving beneath the water's surface, the painting explores the journey toward inner truth, self-discovery, and trust in one's own intuition.

The mermaid is not presented as a mythical creature but as a symbol of the human soul moving through life. She glides forward through the vast depths of the ocean, guided not by certainty but by an inner sense of direction. The elongated horizontal composition emphasizes this feeling of continuous movement — a journey without a fixed destination, where becoming is more important than arriving.

One of the central elements of the work is the flowing trail of luminous oceanic hair stretching behind the figure. It becomes a visual metaphor for everything we leave behind as we move forward: emotions, choices, mistakes, relationships, dreams, and former versions of ourselves. These experiences gradually dissolve into memory, yet they never disappear completely. Like a current of light within the water, they continue to follow us, shaping who we become.

Water serves as a metaphor for life itself — fluid, unpredictable, and impossible to fully control. The mermaid does not resist the current but moves in harmony with it, embodying acceptance rather than struggle. The surrounding Prussian blue deepens into near-black layers, creating a sense of infinite space and introspection, while the luminous figure becomes a symbol of hope, resilience, and personal growth.

Toward Myself invites viewers to reflect on their own journey and on the traces of experience that accompany them through life. Sometimes moving forward is not about escaping the past, but about carrying it with grace.

Shades

prussian blue, deep navy, midnight blue, ultramarine, ocean blue, silver reflections, soft white, blue-black

Ideal Collector

Ideal for collectors of contemporary figurative and symbolic art who appreciate themes of personal growth, self-discovery, emotional depth, and contemplative beauty. Particularly appealing to those drawn to ocean-inspired imagery and minimalist color palettes.

Ideal Space

modern interior, bedroom wall, meditation room, yoga studio, luxury apartment, gallery wall, creative office, boutique hotel, wellness space, art cafe

Artistic Style and Theme

Contemporary figurative art.

Themes: self-discovery, inner journey, intuition, personal growth, trust, freedom, transformation, ocean symbolism, mindfulness, emotional depth, feminine energy, aspiration



prussian blue, ocean art, blue painting, figurative art, underwater art, female figure, wall decor, modern painting, symbolic art, ocean decor, inner journey, self discovery, emotional art, gallery art, fine artwork, luxury decor, blue interior, contemporary art, mindfulness art, statement piece

Materials used:

oil

Details:

• Oil painting on Canvas
• One of a kind artwork
• Size: 110 x 30cm (unframed)
• Signed certificate of authenticity
• Style: Surrealistic
• Subject: Nudes and erotic