Drifted Dreams Art Studio
Art by Lyudmila Devlysh
ARTIST | STORYTELLER | SAILOR
Traveling aboard a beautiful 43-foot sailboat, Lyudmila finds inspiration in sunrises and sunsets far from land, the cultures she encounters, and places best reached under sail.
From her floating studio, she turns these experiences into paintings—sharing the beauty, wonder, and feeling of life on the water.
From the Anchorage
October 29, 2026Today is the day! We are finishing morning coffee and pulling the anchor. The day is bright and the wind is very light. So most likely we will have to run our motor.
We are starting the journey towards the Atlantic ocean...
More stories in Log Book.
Original Paintings
"Clew"
oil on canvas, framed
$330 + s/h
"Sailboat Coasting by Martha's Vineyard"
oil on canvas, framed
$350 + s/h
"The Buccaneer — Stranded Shrimp Boat"
oil on canvas panel, framed
$215 + s/h
"Between Water and Sky"
oil on canvas panel, framed
$185 + s/h
Small Painting Series
Original 4 × 4-inch oil paintings, each with a small display easel.
$130 each + s/h
Coming soon...
Original Paintings
4x4-inch series, oil on canvas panel, unframed, with a display easel
Explore this collection of small original paintings, each with its own little story. Click any image to take a closer look.
"Pelican in Golden Hour"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
Resting on a stone in Galveston, this pelican caught my eye in the warm glow of sunset. I snapped a photograph, drawn to the way the evening light fell across the bird and its rocky perch. That glow became the inspiration for this little painting.
"High in the sky"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
Inspired by countless walks watching birds, “High in the Sky” captures a single seagull soaring overhead. There’s something calming about watching a bird glide, wings outstretched, letting the air carry it.
"Sunset over Assateague Island"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
There’s always something special about sunsets over water. This dramatic evening over Assateague Island stayed with me—the changing sky, the light on the water, and that brief moment you wish would last a little longer.
"Bolivar Shore"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
A sunny summer day on the Bolivar shore, with a light breeze and the blue of the sky melting into the blue of the water. Almost a monochromatic breath of summer, broken only by the clouds and shore grass.
"Of the Coast of Lima (Peru)"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
“Off the Coast of Lima” grew from a boat trip to see the sea lions on the islands off Peru’s coast. I was captivated by the deep blue sky and the white foam of waves breaking against the island cliffs—a contrast I wanted to bring into this little painting.
"Koi"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
“Koi” came from my imagination—or did it? I’ve spent countless moments watching these colourful fish weave between lily pads in botanical gardens across the country. Perhaps this little painting is where those memories meet.
"Blueberry Constellation"
oil on canvas panel with a display easel, unframed
$130 + s/h
“Blueberry Constellation” began as a painting challenge, but I wanted to do more than paint berries. Arranging them into the shape of the Southern Cross, I brought two worlds together: berries and stars. Because why not? Doesn’t art make anything possible?
The Buccaneer — Stranded Shrimp BoatOriginal | oil on canvas panel
Canvas: 8 × 10 inches
Framed dimensions: 10.5 × 12.5 inches
Vintage solid wood frame included$215The Story Behind the PaintingSometimes inspiration comes from the most unexpected places.In May 2026, a shrimp boat named The Buccaneer ran aground on Crystal Beach, along Texas's Bolivar Peninsula. I saw the story in the news just as I was preparing to leave Galveston and head to Virginia.My mother was visiting at the time, and with our departure approaching, I couldn't resist one last little adventure. We packed the car, boarded the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula, and went to see the stranded shrimp boat for ourselves.It was a windy day and the Gulf Coast decided to leave its own mark on the painting. Despite my best efforts, a few grains of sand found their way into the wet paint and became a permanent part of the artwork. I chose to leave them there. After all, this painting was created right on the beach, with the wind, the waves, and the sand all playing their part. Those tiny imperfections are now part of its character—and its story.I spent the day on the beach painting The Buccaneer, capturing this unusual sight before it became just another memory of my time on the Texas Gulf Coast.What started as a news story turned into a special day with my mother, an unexpected painting opportunity, and one more memory to take with me as I prepared for the next chapter of my life.A Frame with a Story of Its OwnThis original painting comes framed in a vintage solid wood frame, lovingly saved by a dear friend.I chose this particular frame for its clean, elegant lines and the natural beauty of its wood finish. Rather than competing with the painting, the frame complements it, adding warmth and character while allowing the artwork to remain the focal point.Together, the painting and its vintage frame make a one-of-a-kind piece, each with a story of its own.ShippingPrice excludes shipping. Shipping will be calculated for your delivery address and invoiced separately after purchase. Your painting will ship once the shipping invoice is paid. For a shipping estimate before purchasing, please contact me.Any customs duties, VAT, or other import charges are the collector’s responsibility.
Between Water and SkyOriginal | oil on canvas panel
Canvas: 8 × 10 inches
Framed dimensions: 10 × 12 inches
Vintage solid wood frame included$185The Story Behind the PaintingThis painting was born from countless walks along the beach and hours spent watching seagulls.They were always flying somewhere, seemingly with a destination in mind. Especially when traveling in a flock. I often wondered where they were going and what their agenda might be.But what fascinated me most was their movement.Watching the birds fly against the wind, I became captivated by the contrast of two forces moving in opposite directions. The wind pushing one way, the birds determined to go another. A constant negotiation between the air and the wings.And when I finally put brush to canvas, the painting came together surprisingly fast.There was no second-guessing, no endless contemplation. I simply painted, as though I were moving along with the birds. Or perhaps they were carrying my inspiration on their wings.It felt like an exhale.And I absolutely love the imperfect moments in this painting. The loose brushstrokes, the slightly unfinished details, the spontaneity of it all. To me they add to the atmosphere of motion, as if the birds are still moving across the canvas.Between Water and Sky is not a painting of one particular day. It is a collection of moments, observations, and memories from countless walks along the shore.An attempt to capture something that never really stands still.A Frame with a Story of Its OwnThis original painting comes framed in a vintage solid wood frame, lovingly saved by a dear friend.I chose this particular frame for its clean, elegant lines and the natural beauty of its wood finish, which is adding warmth and character while allowing the artwork to remain the focal point.Together, the painting and its vintage frame make a one-of-a-kind piece, each with a story of its own.ShippingPrice excludes shipping. Shipping will be calculated for your delivery address and invoiced separately after purchase. Your painting will ship once the shipping invoice is paid. For a shipping estimate before purchasing, please contact me.Any customs duties, VAT, or other import charges are the collector’s responsibility.
Sailboat Coasting by Martha's VinyardOriginal | oil on canvas
Canvas: 11 × 14 inches
Framed dimensions: 14.0 × 17.5 inches
Refinished vintage solid wood frame included$350The Story Behind the PaintingWe had arrived at Martha’s Vineyard and spent a couple of days at anchor. Then came a day too beautiful to stay put: bright sunshine, a light breeze, and the kind of early autumn weather that makes you want to spend every moment outside.We pulled up the anchor and set out for a leisurely sail around part of the island. We passed the cliffs, the lighthouse, and a few other boats. Sailing was smooth, and I settled at the bow, enjoying the wind and the clear blue sky.One of the boats we passed was this ketch, gliding so elegantly through the waves. It caught my eye, and later became the subject of this painting.When I look at it, I remember that place at the bow—the breeze, the blue water, and the pleasure of being out sailing on a day when the weather couldn’t have been better.About the FrameThis painting comes framed in a vintage solid wood frame, lovingly refinished with the help of a dear friend. We chose to restore it to its original beauty, bringing out the natural character of the wood.Every time I look at this ketch, I imagine it in a study or a private library. It would bring warmth to a cozy reading nook or a quiet nautical touch to an elegant interior.ShippingPrice excludes shipping. Shipping will be calculated for your delivery address and invoiced separately after purchase. Your painting will ship once the shipping invoice is paid. For a shipping estimate before purchasing, please contact me.Any customs duties, VAT, or other import charges are the collector’s responsibility.
ClewOriginal | oil on canvas
Canvas: 11 × 14 inches
Framed dimensions: 12.5 × 15.5 inches
Refinished vintage solid wood frame included$330The Story Behind ClewI sailed from Annapolis to Martha’s Vineyard with a friend who had invited me aboard as crew. At the time, I had only a little sailing knowledge, and this felt like a chance to put it into practice.But sailing begins before you leave the dock. There were sails to prepare and a jib to rig—and bowline knots to tie.The bowline is one of sailing’s most useful knots. For me, it was also one of the trickiest to learn. There’s the rabbit, the hole, the tree… and that one move, “around the trunk and back into the hole,” that makes all the difference. A small twist of rope, with a great deal depending on it.Underway, as we adjusted the sails to the wind, those bowlines held faithfully. Watching them at work inspired a little joke: What holds two knots together? A ring. I thought it was funny. Perhaps a sailor’s Valentine.Looking back, that passage was an introduction to the sailing life—and a turning point in my art. My attention began shifting toward water: its movement, its changing colours, and the light upon it.Clew brings me back to that beginning. A sail, a ring, a pair of knots—and the first ties of a commitment to life under sail and the art I wanted to create.About the FrameThis painting comes framed in a vintage solid wood frame, lovingly refinished with the help of a dear friend. We chose to restore it to its original beauty, bringing out the natural character of the wood.Every time I look at Clew, I imagine it in a study or a private library. It would bring warmth to a cozy reading nook or a quiet nautical touch to an elegant interior.ShippingPrice excludes shipping. Shipping will be calculated for your delivery address and invoiced separately after purchase. Your painting will ship once the shipping invoice is paid. For a shipping estimate before purchasing, please contact me.Any customs duties, VAT, or other import charges are the collector’s responsibility.
About the Artist
Hello and welcome. I’m Lyudmila Devlysh, the artist behind Drifted Dreams Art Studio. Together with my partner and our cat, I live aboard a beautiful 43-foot sailboat—our home and my floating studio.Art has been part of my life for many years. Although my professional path led me into engineering and a career far from the easel, the desire to create always stayed with me.For over a decade, I’ve moved back and forth between painting and the rest of life—taking workshops, learning, practicing, giving up, and coming back. Along the way, I’ve explored different mediums, styles, and subjects, searching for my own voice in art.Drifted Dreams is where all those experiences come together. It’s a return to a dream I’ve carried for years, with room to keep exploring, learning, and creating.I invite you to come drift along with me—to follow the journey and the stories, and see the world through the lens of my camera and through my art.
FAQ
Do you offer shipping for original paintings?Shipping availability, costs, and dispatch timing will be listed with each painting. If you’re interested in international delivery, please contact me before purchasing so I can confirm the options for your location.When will my original painting ship?I live and create aboard a sailboat, so shipping dates depend on when we’re near shipping facilities. Please check the individual listing for available shipping dates.Do you ship internationally?International shipping may be available by arrangement. Please contact me before purchasing so I can confirm availability, shipping costs, and timing for your destination.Do paintings come framed?Some paintings come framed. Each listing will clearly indicate whether a frame is included.How can I contact you?Email me at [email protected] with any questions about my artwork or your order.Do you accept commissions?I consider commissions individually. Please contact me to discuss your ideas so we can make sure my artistic style and approach are a good fit for the piece you have in mind.Do you use AI to create your artwork?No. Every piece—from seascapes to imagined scenes and illustrations—is created by hand, without AI.Can I purchase a print?Yes! Prints are available through my Etsy shop. Each is printed on demand through Gelato on museum-quality paper. I personally review and prepare every artwork image before making it available as a print. All prints ship free within the USA.
Log Book
Stories, sketches, and life under sail.
Where the Journey Begins
A carful of belongings, art supplies, and a sixteen-year-old cat—that’s how my sailing life began. Now at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, we’re watching the weather and preparing for the journey ahead. Camila already has her routine. The rest of us are still figuring it out.
Chesapeake Bay, VA
October 18, 2026
Fast Christening: The Story of Our First Passage
A change of plans. Expectations wrapped in pink pixie dust. An ocean that didn’t get the weather memo, and seasickness reaching new heights. Add a failed engine and an emergency anchorage at 2 a.m.—and that was our first passage. Somehow, it brought us to one of my favourite places.
Beaufort, NC
November 3, 2026
Fast Christening: The Story of Our First PassageAfter a very long wait, planning, and provisioning, we finally pulled up the anchor, said goodbye to new friends, and headed out toward the Atlantic.I should say that “planning” in sailing is a very volatile thing. Our original plan was to head toward Bermuda, spend a few days there, and then drop down to the Caribbean. However, we discovered that bringing Camila into Bermuda involved strict requirements. And even though I received an email permitting us to bring her to the island, we decided to change our route in favor of sailing down the East Coast.After all, it was going to be our first voyage on this boat, and staying close to land didn’t sound too absurd. Besides, our friends were planning their departures right after us. So there was a plan to meet at the anchorage at Cape Lookout.Looking back, I can almost see myself in a cloud of pink pixie dust of delusion about the entire plan.But we checked the weather!Well, the weather apparently didn’t get the memo.We started moving out of Mobjack Bay toward the Chesapeake. The wind was light, and we had to switch to motoring at some point. The water was like glass, with pods of dolphins hunting around us. I tried to paint, but the motion still got me. I thought that was seasickness. I had more to learn.By the end of the day, we had made it to the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, a busy area with heavy commercial and military vessel traffic. We felt comfortable enough to head into the Atlantic without anchoring for the night.The ocean welcomed us with plenty of wind. We set the sails and our course. And I should say, we had a good night’s sail.I still cannot shake the moon from that first night out of my mind. The best way I can describe it is a “dragon eye”: a partially covered disk, bright orange in the depths of a dark indigo sky. A few orange reflections suggested there was water below. Otherwise, the darkness between sky and water was unbroken. Above us, stars and the Milky Way filled the sky.In the morning, the wind died again, and we had to start the engine. We were taking shifts at the helm, and I sent my Pirate for a nap. He really needed it, and motoring seemed like a safe time for him to take a break while I watched our course.At some point, the wind started picking up, and I woke him.“Let’s set the sails. We have wind.”Well, that’s when the fun began.The wind gained strength faster than we expected. On top of that, heavy waves were pushing us along. My seasickness started taking control of me. We were doing about 5.5–6 knots under sail, but every time a wave picked us up, we would surf at almost 9 knots.Yes, the cat! Camila was completely unbothered in the beginning. She didn’t care when the wind picked up. She even tried to walk the deck while we were surfing. But when the wind shifted and we started taking waves on our port side, she got scared.As the boat lurched, I held her close in our cabin, trying to wedge myself between the walls so I wouldn’t get thrown out of bed. Then I made her a nest out of pillows where she could hide.We were definitely sailing, and it wasn’t too glorious.My Pirate was trying to secure the dinghy. I was trying to catch everything flying around the cabin. Honestly, at some point, I thought the boat had become possessed. The less secure cabinets started opening, their doors swinging and contents flying. An entire container of quinoa burst open all over the floor, and I was trying to clean it up.We now call it “boat glitter.” We are still finding grains in the corners and cavities of the boat.It is easier to handle a challenge when you know when it will end. We were planning to anchor at Cape Lookout. That was what I kept telling myself as I counted down to the end of this leg.Except…When we rounded Cape Lookout and lined up with the channel to motor into the anchorage, our engine stopped.It was about 7:30 in the evening. There was no way we could sail in.That’s when the adrenaline kicked in.Without an engine, our option was to keep sailing. We set our course toward Beaufort, hoping to get the engine running before we reached it. With the mainsail lowered, we continued under the small jib.I got online. Here, I would like to pause and express special appreciation to David and Jennifer, the boat’s previous owners and now our friends. They responded to our messages and helped us work through the problem.My Pirate was dealing with leaking fluids, filters, and I’m not sure what else. Between working on the engine and draining the bilge, we were researching possible causes, messaging our friends, and keeping an eye on our course.At some point, we just looked at each other, neither of us knowing what to do next. He was desperately trying to think of a way to start the engine. I was trying to sign up for a towing service. They could help us, except the account required 24 hours before activation.The advice was to sail into the Beaufort channel.Not a chance. With the wind on our nose and waves beating us off course, there was no chance we were going to sail through that entrance.I distinctly remember being scared. But not so much of the elements. I was scared because we were both exhausted.The sail from Cape Lookout toward Beaufort took almost another four hours. Under the small jib, we were moving at about 2 knots. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to stay awake and he would have to carry the weight. But he was also tired. Very tired.After hours of work and trying to research the problem, he added oil to the engine as a last resort. The level hadn’t been low, but it was the last thing we hadn’t tried.He turned the key.The engine started.We furled the jib and turned into the inlet channel. Motoring against the wind, we finally reached an anchorage and dropped the anchor.Around 2 a.m.The only thing to do after that was— that’s right—to bribe the cat out of her state of shock with treats!Then we passed out.Morning brought mess, coffee, thanks to the sea gods, cleaning, hydrating, and more engine work.For the next two days, we did little besides work on the boat: cleaning, draining the bilge, filtering diesel, and figuring out what had gone wrong. We eventually traced the problem to a leaking fuel hose. Thank goodness, the repair itself turned out to be straightforward.Two days after our nighttime arrival, a tow took us to the nearest marina for repairs and damage control.It had been a physical and mental challenge. We are learning the boat and learning how to be a team—a two-person team who have to rely on each other. This was our first test, our first lesson.After adjusting, discussing, altering plans, and resting, today we decided to spend a few days in Beaufort, North Carolina. I need to get back to painting, and he needs to work on the boat.Nowhere to rush. Accepting where we are at the moment.On a brighter side, I love visiting Beaufort. Love the historic charm of the old town, the lazy anchorage by the Rachel Carson Reserve. Love the dolphins minding their own business and the fishermen in the early morning hours. Love the shrimp boats and tugboats, the bridges and towering silhouettes of port cranes.It is a very easy existence, and I do not mind being part of it for the next few days.
Where the Journey BeginsOur journey begins in Virginia, tucked into one of the nooks of Chesapeake Bay.Actually, it began in June, when I arrived with my cat and whatever could fit in my car. Downsizing can be challenging. I brought some clothes, a few personal belongings, tools, and my art supplies. Camila and I were the first to step aboard and start settling in.My cat is a champ. She has travelled and moved with me over the years, and at sixteen, she took to this new environment with remarkably little concern. At least, she never complained to me personally.Within weeks, she was comfortable enough to patrol the marina at night and visit other boats while their owners were away. Apparently, settling into our own boat wasn’t enough. She needed to inspect the neighbours’ accommodations, too.We’re now “on the hook”—which means we’ve left the docks and are living at anchor while we wait for a weather window to begin our passage.Camila has everything organised. She has established a clear feeding schedule, claimed a few quiet places for naps, and mastered the steep steps between the cabin and cockpit. When she wants fresh air, she heads up to lounge in the cockpit or walk the deck. She seems quite settled into the sailing life.For the rest of us, departure is a little less straightforward.Leaving on a sailing trip isn’t like leaving on a road trip. You can choose a day, but the weather gets a say. We watch the forecasts, looking for a window that will let us make our passage while avoiding storms, hurricanes, and anything else turning an alarming shade of red on the weather map.Sometimes a window looks promising one day and closes the next.And so we wait.We check and fine-tune our systems, tackle small boat projects, and prepare for the miles ahead. I work on my art—and on the business side of building a floating art studio. There are paintings to finish, stories to write, and, now, a website to welcome you to.But I should be honest: on one particularly windy, rainy day, we simply stayed inside and binge-watched Netflix.Some hibernating habits remain exactly the same, whether you’re on land or water.For now, this is where you’ll find us: at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, watching the weather, making art, and answering to Camila’s feeding schedule.The stories don’t end here. For glimpses of life aboard, paintings in progress, and Camila’s occasional appearances, follow me on Instagram and YouTube.Come drift along—I’d love to have you aboard.