About the Artist

Hello! I’m Joe Flowers. Growing up on the west coast of California, I spent my days in the ocean—surfing, free-diving, SCUBA, and volunteering with marine mammal rescue NGOs. The sea became my sanctuary, a sacred space that taught me the wisdom of constant change. Wildlife and landscape photography was a lifelong interest, but in 2017, inspired by ocean photographers like Ray Collins, Warren Keelan, and Clark Little, I bought my first camera housing and dove into ocean wave photography, spending most of my time in or beside the water, capturing its fleeting beauty through the lens.

In 2018, I let go of most of my possessions and moved into a converted Sprinter van, traveling the West Coast photographing the raw, unpredictable energy of waves and the way sunlight brings them to life, both above and below the surface. Eastern thought & philosophies, especially Taoist and Zen Buddhist teachings, have deeply shaped my path, guiding me to see the ocean as a companion in reflection—a reminder of balance and the dynamic nature of existence. The imagery I create is my attempt to hold the ancient wisdom I feel in the water, hoping it leaves an impression on those who see it.

Often found meandering along the coast of California, I focus on capturing moments that reflect the intensity, stillness and harmony of the Sea. The ocean remains my temple, and through my photography, I invite others to find peace in its motion, to witness the interplay of light and shadow, force and yielding, as a mirror of the deeper truths of existence.