Capturing Essence: Intuitive Watercolors, Fine Art, Illustrations, and Reiki-Infused Creations
Author: Carolina Russo
Carolina Russo is a distinguished watercolor artist with a rich background in Italian art and design. Over the past 25 years, she has honed her unique artistic voice and recognizable style. As an independent, full-time artist and a certified Usui Reiki Master, Carolina's creative journey has encompassed various forms of expression, including watercolor painting, illustration, Reiki-infused art, jewelry design, poetry, and beyond. Since relocating from Italy to the United States in 2002, she has called California home, drawing inspiration from its vibrant culture and scenic beauty.
There are seasons when creation is visible, expressive, and outward. And there are seasons when the work happens quietly — beneath form, beneath language, beneath what can be easily shared.
This past year has been one of those quieter seasons for me.
While there may have been less movement on the surface, much was unfolding within — a period of listening, recalibration, and deep inner refinement. I learned again that not all growth announces itself. Some of the most meaningful shifts arrive in stillness, asking only for patience and trust.
I’ve come to honor these pauses not as absences, but as thresholds.
During this time, my relationship with energy, presence, and subtle healing currents deepened in ways that felt inseparable from my creative path. Art, silence, and healing revealed themselves as different expressions of the same living field — one that responds not to effort, but to attunement.
From this listening, a new space quietly took form.
Energy Essence emerged as a gentle sanctuary for distance Reiki and light-encoded energetic support — created not as something separate from my art, but as a continuation of the same intention that has always guided my work: to offer spaces of harmony, balance, and reconnection.
I share this now not as an announcement, but as an opening.
An opening for those who feel resonance to step closer. And an opening for myself — to allow what has been growing quietly to begin breathing in its own rhythm.
There is no urgency here. Only presence. Only trust in the timing of what wishes to unfold.
With gratitude for the pauses, and for the unseen support that never wavered.
“Beneath the quiet sky, the soul pauses and remembers its own light.”
As the year draws toward its final breaths, there is a gentle hush in the air. The kind of stillness that doesn’t ask for reflection, only for noticing.
This year did not move loudly for me. It did not unfold in visible milestones or outward momentum. Instead, it worked beneath the surface — in silence, in pauses, in the spaces where nothing needed to be produced or proven.
There were moments of deep listening. Moments of release. Moments where the most important work was simply staying present with what was unfolding within.
I have come to understand that not all years are meant for expression. Some are meant for integration. For allowing what has already been lived, learned, and felt to settle into the body, the heart, and the soul.
This year asked for trust. Trust in the unseen movement. Trust in the quiet currents reshaping direction without urgency. Trust that rest, too, is a form of becoming.
As the threshold of a new year approaches, I do not feel the need to name intentions or define what comes next. What wishes to arrive will do so in its own time — gently, naturally, and with clarity.
For now, I offer gratitude.
For the lessons that required patience. For the pauses that brought deeper truth. For the unseen support that never wavered.
May this closing be soft. May it be complete without finality. May we all enter the next cycle a little more embodied, a little more honest, and a little more attuned to the quiet wisdom within.
If you’re reading this after some time, welcome back. Whether you’ve been here for years or are just finding your way in, I’m grateful you’re here, sharing this quiet moment with me.
The Winter Solstice arrives softly. It does not announce itself loudly or demand attention. It comes gently, asking us to pause, to breathe, and to remember.
This is the longest night of the year, a sacred threshold where darkness reaches its fullness and light begins, almost imperceptibly, to return. For centuries, this moment has been honored as a time of rest, reflection, and gentle renewal.
If you’ve been feeling slower lately, more inward, more reflective, you are not behind. You are in rhythm.
A Different Way to Welcome the Solstice
Rather than “doing” more, the Winter Solstice invites us to be with what is. Here are a few gentle, less common ways to honor this sacred turning point without pressure or perfection.
1. Sit with a single candle and nothing else Instead of journaling or meditating with intention, simply light a candle and sit with it in silence for a few minutes. Watch the flame. Let your breath soften. Imagine this small light as the quiet truth within you that never went out, even during darker seasons.
2. Clean one small space with reverence Choose one drawer, one shelf, or one corner of your home. As you clear it, do so slowly and intentionally, thanking what you release and welcoming spaciousness. This simple act mirrors the solstice shift, making room for new light without forcing change.
3. Speak one word for the coming cycle Rather than setting resolutions or long intentions, choose a single word that feels supportive for the months ahead. Let it arise naturally. You don’t need to explain it or share it. This word becomes a gentle companion as the light returns.
4. Place your hands over your heart before sleep On the night of the solstice, place your hands over your heart and take a few deep breaths. No affirmations, no requests. Just presence. Let your body know it is safe to rest and restore.
A Quiet Season of Creation
This solstice finds me in a season of gentle creation and integration. Alongside my Reiki practice, I am continuing to work behind the scenes on Energy Essence, allowing it to take shape slowly and organically, just as it is meant to. Like the returning light, healing and new offerings often grow best when they are given time, space, and care.
Thank you for being here for reading, reflecting, and walking this quieter season with me. Your presence, whether visible or silent, is deeply felt.
May this Winter Solstice bring you:
deep rest
subtle clarity
and a gentle remembrance of your inner light
The days will begin to brighten again, one breath, one moment at a time. As Christmas and the holiday season approach, may you be surrounded by warmth, softness, and gentle reminders of what truly matters.
With warmth and gentle light wishing you a wonderful Solstice, Carolina
“Where Reiki meets art, and light becomes form Energy Essence is coming”
Hello dear friends, It’s been a little while since my last post, and today I feel inspired to reconnect and share something meaningful with you. I’ve been immersed in beautiful creative work that I’m finally almost ready to begin sharing. I’m currently working behind the scenes on a new part of my journey Energy Essence, a space that blends my creative soul with my spiritual path.
You may have noticed that over the past months, my art has been weaving more and more with energy work, especially through my Reiki practice. This evolution has been a natural path for me, an expansion of the same soul energy that moves through my paintings and creations, now also expressed through healing, spiritual tools, and channeled messages.
That’s why I’m so happy to gently introduce you to something new I’ve been working on Energy Essence a sacred space that blends my creative soul with my spiritual path. A beautiful space dedicated to Distance Reiki, Light Language transmissions, healing jewelry, intuitive creations, and the energetic art that flows through me.
This new offering is taking shape as dedicated pages within my current website, because I believe that all aspects of what I do whether visual art or energy work are deeply interconnected.
Energy Essence is the spiritual heart of my creative journey, a gentle unfolding of light and intention. I warmly invite you to walk this path with me. Soon, these new pages will blossom within the Carolina Russo Art website a sacred space woven into the whole, where energy and art meet in harmony. You’ll find it nestled within the main menu, ready to be discovered.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about the meaning behind Energy Essence, its offerings, and how you can connect with it. I’ll also be opening up for distance Reiki Sessions, sharing new spiritual creations, and offering words of guidance from the realms I connect with.
For now, this is just a soft whisper, a gentle invitation to feel into the energy of what’s coming. If your heart resonates, stay tuned.
I look forward to sharing more as everything aligns and unfolds. Thank you for being here whether you’ve followed my art for a while or are just arriving.
You’re warmly invited to follow my new Instagram page @energyessencereiki, where I’ll soon begin sharing sacred insights, Reiki-infused creations, and Arcturian channeled messages. It’s still quiet there now, but the energy is already building. I’d love to have you there from the very beginning.
With love and light, Carolina
Wishing you a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother’s Day!
As devastating fires rage across Southern California, my heart is with everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy. I am blessed that my location is safe. May those affected find strength, safety, and hope in these challenging times. Let us all hold space for healing and extend love and support to our communities. Please take a minute of silence send love and vibrations of protection to this land and the people.
Sending healing energy. Stay safe, and take care of one another.
Today I want to talk about Water, has long been considered one of the most mysterious and life sustaining elements on Earth. Its presence connects all living beings, and its movements reflect the rhythm of life itself. In my recent watercolor seascape titled “Perpetual,” from my Fields and Waters Collection I sought to capture not only the physical beauty of water but also its deeper, spiritual significance.
This piece is inspired by the idea that water holds a consciousness a memory of ancient times, of whispered stories and forgotten wisdom and carries them forward in an endless cycle of movement and flow. Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating concept of water consciousness and the profound lessons it can teach us.
The Consciousness of Water
Scientists and spiritual seekers alike have explored the idea that water has a form of consciousness. Dr. Masaru Emoto’s groundbreaking work demonstrated how water crystals respond to thoughts, words, and vibrations. Through his experiments, he showed that positive intentions and harmonious sounds created beautiful, symmetrical crystals, while negative energy led to chaotic and fractured patterns. These findings suggest that water is not just a passive element but an active participant in the world around us, absorbing and reflecting the energy it encounters.
On a spiritual level, water is believed to hold memories, serving as a vessel for the energies and information of the past. Its perpetual flow symbolizes the continuity of life and the unbroken connection between generations. When we engage with water, whether through art, meditation, or simple observation, we tap into this ancient well of wisdom.
Ancient Knowledge and the Element of Water
Throughout history, water has been revered as a sacred element in many cultures. Ancient civilizations viewed it as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. From the holy rivers of India to the purification rituals of Indigenous peoples, water has always been a symbol of cleansing, renewal, and connection.
The idea that water retains information aligns with the belief that it carries the essence of the places it has traveled. Oceans, rivers, and rain carry the energy of the earth, the heavens, and all that they touch. This energy is imprinted within the water itself, forming an invisible record of the planet’s history.
When we look at the ocean’s waves, we are witnessing the heartbeat of the earth, a movement that has continued for millennia. These waves remind us of the cyclical nature of existence, birth, growth, and renewal and encourage us to reflect on our own connection to the world.
Water, Frequency, and the Power of Vibration
Everything in the universe vibrates, and water is a powerful medium for carrying vibrations. Sound waves, for example, travel four times faster in water than in air. This unique property makes water an extraordinary conductor of frequency and energy.
On a spiritual level, this means water can amplify intentions, healing energy, and meditative practices. By meditating near water or incorporating water into spiritual rituals, we can align ourselves with its natural frequencies, enhancing our connection to the universe.
Art, too, is a form of vibration. When I painted “Perpetual” I was mindful of the rhythm of my brushstrokes, the flow of the watercolors, and the energy I infused into the piece. My intention was to echo the movement and consciousness of water, creating a visual representation of its perpetual memory and wisdom.
Lessons from the Ocean
The ocean teaches us many lessons:
Resilience: Like water, we can adapt to obstacles, flowing around them and continuing forward.
Interconnection: Water reminds us that everything is connected. The drop of rain that falls today may become part of the ocean tomorrow.
Presence: The rhythm of the waves invites us to be present, to breathe with the tides and find calm within the chaos.
By contemplating these lessons, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. Water, with its ancient wisdom and ceaseless flow, encourages us to think beyond the surface and connect with the deeper currents of life.
My watercolor “Perpetual “ is more than a painting; it is a reflection on the spiritual and energetic essence of water. It invites viewers to consider the consciousness of this vital element and its role in our lives. Water carries the stories of the past and flows forward, offering us wisdom, healing, and connection.
As part of your daily routine, consider taking a moment to bless your water before drinking it. Hold your glass with intention, close your eyes, and express gratitude for its life giving properties. You can set a positive affirmation such as, “May this water bring me peace, clarity, and energy.” Visualize the water absorbing your intentions, transforming it into a source of healing and positivity.
By engaging with water in this way, we honor its consciousness and deepen our relationship with this remarkable element. Like the waves of the ocean, let your thoughts flow freely, carrying you toward greater understanding and peace.
What does water mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
If you wonder Fine Art Prints of my painting “Perpetual” are available in my Etsy Shop!
As we step into this bright new year, I want to thank you for being a part of my journey. May 2025 bring you abundant joy, creativity, and inspiration. Let’s continue to grow, create, and share the beauty of art and life together.
Wishing you a year filled with love, success, and endless possibilities. Cheers to new beginnings and exciting adventures ahead!
✨ Happy New Year 2025! ✨
With gratitude and creativity
Hello beautiful souls, we’re getting closer to the Winter Solstice! The longest night of the year, marks a powerful turning point, a time when darkness begins to wane, and the light slowly returns. Celebrating the Solstice can be a deeply meaningful way to connect with nature and the Universe, reflect on the year past, and set intentions for the months ahead. Here are some beautiful ways to prepare for and celebrate this magical event, creating warmth and joy in the heart of winter. The Solstice is December 21, 2024
Preparing for the Winter Solstice
Create a Cozy Space Transform your home into a haven of warmth and light. Decorate with candles, fairy lights, and seasonal greenery like pine, holly, or mistletoe. Use soft blankets and comforting textures to create a nurturing atmosphere where you can retreat from the cold.
Reflect and Release The Solstice is an ideal time for self-reflection. Set aside time to journal about the past year, what you’ve learned, what you’re ready to let go of, and what you hope to welcome. Write down anything you want to release on slips of paper, and burn them safely as a symbolic gesture of letting go.
Gather Natural Elements Go for a winter walk and gather natural materials like pinecones, evergreen branches, or stones to incorporate into your celebrations. These can be used to decorate an altar, wreath, or centerpiece, connecting you with the rhythms of the Earth.
Plan Your Intentions As the Solstice celebrates the return of the light, it’s a wonderful time to set intentions for the year ahead. What do you want to grow or nurture in your life as the days grow longer?
Heartwarming Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice
Light a Candle Ceremony Light candles to symbolize the return of the sun and the growing light. Gather your family, friends, or simply yourself in a quiet moment, and reflect on the warmth and hope the light brings into your life.
Prepare a Feast of Seasonal Foods Celebrate with a meal that honors the season. Incorporate comforting dishes like roasted root vegetables, warm soups, spiced baked goods, or mulled cider. Sharing a Solstice meal with loved ones is a beautiful way to nourish both body and spirit.
Spend Time in Nature Bundle up and take a walk outdoors, appreciating the stillness and beauty of the winter landscape. Pause to listen to the quiet, observe the bare trees, and feel the connection to the Earth as it rests.
Create a Yule Log Tradition The Yule Log is an ancient tradition where a decorated log is burned as a symbol of light overcoming darkness. If you have a fireplace, you can burn a Yule Log with wishes or blessings written on it. Alternatively, you can create a decorative Yule Log centerpiece with candles.
Meditation and Rituals Meditate on themes of renewal, gratitude, and the cycles of nature. You can also perform a simple ritual, such as visualizing light filling your heart and radiating out into the world, bringing hope and positivity.
Craft and Create Engage in creative activities like making Solstice-inspired art, handcrafting ornaments, or creating wreaths from gathered greenery. These acts of creation embody the spirit of renewal and transformation.
A Celebration of Light and Hope
The Winter Solstice is a time to honor the beauty of the season and embrace its lessons. By celebrating this day with heartwarming traditions, you can find joy in the stillness of winter and welcome the light with open arms.
And if you made it to read this whole post Thank You! How do you plan to celebrate the Winter Solstice this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts and traditions in the comments below. Wishing you a season filled with warmth, light, and love! A Quick Note: The images featured in this post are from my Winter Art Collection, inspired by the season’s beauty and magic. If you love these pieces, prints of my whole Winter Collection are available in my Etsy Shop as Limited and Open Editions. Visit my shop to bring the spirit of winter into your home!
With Solstice blessings wishing you great days ahead!
The 12-Day Winter Draw Challenge has officially come to an end yesterday on December 12, and I couldn’t be happier to have completed it. This journey has been a beautiful exploration of winter’s magic, and I’m thrilled to share the final six drawings with you.
Each of the 12 pieces in my Winter Draw Challenge beautifully captures the essence of the winter and festive season, weaving delicate details with vivid storytelling. Each prompt drew inspiration from the season’s magic, embracing everything from its serene beauty to its joyful celebrations. Here are the final six creations:
Day 6: Letter With this drawing I wanted to capture the feeling of heartfelt love reading a special letter from a loved one being far away during the holidays. The delicate color palette and the color blue is to show the feeling of melancholy for that precise moment of missing someone.
Day 7: Feast She is my Christmas colorful Fairy preparing the stockings and wearing a beautiful Poinsettia flower dress! She is charming and brings feeling of happiness and joy!
Day 8: Owl I love Owls they symbolize intuition, wisdom, mystery, intelligence and protection!
Day 9: Advent The four weeks of Advent are a time for preparation and introspection a time of reflection within yourself and in this drawing I wanted to capture all of this and the four themes of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy!
Day 10: Oranges I loved to create her ornate with old fashion dry oranges traditions
Day 11: Ivy. Day 12: Candlelight. (Combined prompts) For last two days I combined the two prompts into one drawing. The beautiful Ivy head pieces and the candles. The two girls represents sisters or sisterhood!
Completing this challenge was both inspiring and rewarding, each year is a beautiful time. I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received throughout this creative journey it’s truly meant the world to me. If you missed the previous Blog post with the first 5 days drawings you can see it here:
Availability: If any of these pieces speak to you, I’m delighted to share that all 12 drawings are now available as Limited and Open Edition Prints in my Etsy Shop. Whether you choose the intimate 5×7 inches size or the striking 8×10 inches size, each print is “Hand Enhanced with inks and a spark of gold” making them perfect for adding a timeless touch of winter magic to be a special addition to your art collection. or gifting to a loved one.
Don’t miss out, visit my Etsy Shop to browse the full Winter Christmas Collection and if you find something please use at checkout this Discount Code:THANKYOU for 10% Off!
Thank you for following along on this journey. I hope these creations bring joy and inspiration to your day!
Welcome December! Hello, as the frosty chill of Winter settles in, I find myself inspired by the magic of this season, the quiet beauty of snow-dusted landscapes, the warm glow of holiday lights, and the endless possibilities for creativity. To celebrate, I’m excited to introduce the 12-Day Winter Draw Challenge hosted on Instagram by my amazing artists friends in UK : @nomkinnearking and @adamoehlers and @natachachohraart, a personal journey of artistic exploration and seasonal joy. It is from years now that I make sure to participate to these wonderful twelve days of Winter-Christmas themed art!
We are deep into the challenge already, which began on December 1st I haven’t had time to post here. I’ve already created my first 5 entries and for the next 7 days, I’ll be creating a new drawing each day, inspired by a unique Winter- Christmas themed prompt. This challenge is not just about creating art it’s about capturing the essence of the season, staying inspired, and sharing that joy with you all.
Today, I’m happy to share the first five day drawings of this creative adventure. Each piece is a vision infused with my love for winter and its many facets, from the serene quiet of beautiful evenings to the lively energy of festive gatherings.
Day 1: Prompt King I loved to create this first drawing. The Winter Queen with the magnificent King Lion. Reminds me of Aslan in Narnia I realized this when I finished the drawing.
Day 2: Prompt Fox This is a beautiful Magical Fox and Spirit Animal.
Day 3: Prompt Yule I had this drawing made years ago in a small sketch! I thought would fit the prompt as I have reworked it and made it bigger she is my Forest Goddess to represent Yule.
Day 4: Prompt Chocolate. This drawing is close to my heart. A sip of hot chocolate brings beautiful memories, holidays traditions growing up in Italy, thinking my family and home.
Day 5: Prompt Silent Night. each year I like to create a lady figure “Christmas Tree” this year she is singing Silent Night all lightened up with candles in the middle of the forest! Some words from the lyric are a special touch to this drawing.
I hope these drawings bring a bit of seasonal warmth and inspiration into your day! Whether you’re an artist, a winter enthusiast, one of my collectors, or someone seeking creative inspiration, I invite you to follow along, share your thoughts, and perhaps even join in on the challenge.
Let’s celebrate the beauty of winter together, one drawing and one day at a time. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue this journey, and let me know which piece resonates with you the most! Tomorrow prompt is Letter. Follow me on Instagram @carolinarussoart Preorder Prints: The first five drawings are already available as Limited Edition Prints hand enhanced! I will keep adding more daily as I create them! To Preorder visit my Etsy Shop
With creative energy and warm wishes, until next post stay safe and warm!
Copyright ©Carolina Russo – carolinarussoart.com
Carolina Russo Art 
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