Our Story
Hello, I’m Jay Stieler, Central Coast watercolor painter and principal artist here at Coast Art House. I’ve been blessed to call the beautiful Central Coast of California home for most of my life. Its unspoiled and breathtaking natural environment continues to be my biggest inspiration. There's something about the wild landscapes and vibrant atmosphere of this area that fuels creativity.
While I’ve explored different mediums over the years, I’ve discovered that watercolors provide an ideal challenge. The way watercolor behaves—its spontaneity and unpredictability—keeps me on my toes and makes every painting an adventure. The best part? The unexpected results that emerge, giving each piece its own story.
Thank you so much for visiting my site and taking the time to explore my work. If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to reach out to me via email or social media. I’d love to connect!
Enjoying some plein-air watercolor painting at Sandollar Beach.
My Painting Style and Inspiration
My watercolor paintings attempt to focus on strong values, dynamic contrast, and the interaction of light and shadow to create depth and atmosphere. I get the most joy in watercolor from painting seascapes and landscapes depicting California’s Central Coast, including San Luis Obispo County, Morro Bay, Cayucos, Cambria, the Big Sur coast and points beyond.
The Central Coast of California offers constant inspiration, with rugged coastlines, golden beaches, dramatic cliffs, and ever-changing coastal light. In painting, I try to capture natural light at different times of day—from early morning coastal shadows to sunlit ocean waves and warm sunset tones across inland valleys. Through watercolor, I aim to create calm, immersive paintings that reflect the region’s natural beauty and invite viewers to slow down and connect with the landscape.
