Give me a vast open horizon — whether over the ocean or in the sky — and I’m exactly where I belong.

The Early Pull of the Ocean

I grew up in northern New Jersey and often spent summer vacations at the Jersey Shore with my family. I learned to swim in the ocean and ride the waves -- first on an inflatable raft, then, as I grew older, on a surfboard. That early pull toward water shaped something deep in me; a love of motion, light, and freedom.

Even then, I sensed that a change in latitude could bring a change in attitude -- a truth Jimmy Buffett would later put to music, and one I would come to live.

From the Waves to the Wind

Years later, I earned my pilot’s license and realized that the sky held the same promise as the ocean -- the exhilarating freedom of motion, where wind replaces waves and the horizon stretches endlessly in front of you. Whether moving across water or lifting through open sky, I was always chasing that feeling of openness and possibility.

Translating Paradise

Winter travels to the Caribbean and a move to Florida completed the circle. My life on the water and my life as an artist naturally merged. The warm natural beauty of a tropical island was no longer just a vacation -- it became creative fuel. The color, clarity, and rhythm of tropical shores transformed my focus as an artist.

For more than 30 years, and across two decades of Caribbean travel, I’ve translated that island light and atmosphere onto canvas. Collectors tell me my paintings bring color, calm, and the spirit of the islands into their homes -- a daily reminder that paradise isn’t just somewhere you visit… it’s something you carry with you.

Bring the Islands Home

Contact Alan at: Alan@alanzawacki.com