When Margaret Juul was just four years old, a powerful riptide pulled her beneath the surface while she vacationed in Miami Beach. Although the moment carried real danger, Juul remembers something unexpected: the mesmerizing beauty of the water itself.
Even amid the chaos, she became captivated by what she describes as the ocean’s “ever-changing glistening mood.” Decades later, that early experience still shapes her artwork. Today, Juul’s paintings explore the emotional and spiritual connection between people and water, blending movement, light, and coastal landscapes into immersive visual experiences designed to calm and inspire viewers.
After graduating from college, Juul worked as a conservationist, where she witnessed firsthand the environmental damage affecting waterways and coastal ecosystems. Those experiences deepened both her appreciation for nature and her desire to communicate the emotional power of water through art. Over time, painting became both a personal outlet and a creative mission.
“I’m aiming to find a unique voice that would help viewers connect with and enhance a spirit of tranquility and relaxation,” Juul said. “I discovered that painting water was a deeply cathartic release for me, and more importantly, my work proved to be soothing to viewers.”
Her portfolio includes collections such as Dancing in the Light, St. Augustine Beach, the Under the Sky series, and her widely recognized Organic Coastal Waterscape collection. Many of her paintings feature flowing underwater scenes, reflective shorelines, and layered coastal textures that emphasize both the serenity and power of the sea. Locally, visitors can experience Juul’s work at Sea Spirits Gallery & Gifts, located at 210 St. George Street in downtown St. Augustine.
The gallery has become a longtime destination for visitors seeking coastal-inspired artwork, handcrafted gifts, and locally created artisan pieces. Inside the historic downtown space, guests will find a carefully curated mix of fine paintings, sculptures, artisan jewelry, nautical décor, glass art, pottery, and specialty gifts that celebrate Florida’s coastal culture and maritime heritage. Sea Spirits Gallery places a strong emphasis on representing artists whose work reflects a meaningful connection to the ocean and natural environment.
Gallery owner Victoria Golden, a respected conservationist and marine advocate herself, says Juul’s work consistently resonates with visitors because of its emotional depth and technical skill. “Margaret is one of our favorite artists that we represent,” Golden said. “Her dramatic underwater scenes capture the movement and dynamic nature of the sea. Her Palm Reflection series is brilliantly rendered with amazing colors and skills.”
Golden believes Juul’s paintings evoke multiple emotions simultaneously, balancing calmness with intensity in a way that leaves a lasting impression on viewers. “She gives us awe, power, passion, and tranquility all at the same time,” Golden added. “She is a treasure both as an artist and a person.”
Beyond showcasing fine art, Sea Spirits Gallery has built a reputation as a space that celebrates creativity, environmental appreciation, and local artistry. The gallery regularly highlights regional artists whose work captures the beauty and fragility of coastal life, helping visitors connect more deeply with the waterways and landscapes surrounding St. Augustine.
For Juul, that connection remains central to everything she creates. Her paintings do more than depict water. They invite viewers to pause, reflect, and experience the calming emotional pull that first captured her imagination beneath the surface of the ocean so many years ago.
For more information about Margaret Juul’s work or Sea Spirits Gallery & Gifts, visit the gallery’s website, here.
