It was just another gloomy morning as I grabbed my wallet, zipped up my fitted jacket, and headed out the door, rushing to get to my favorite coffee store around the block. As I walked into the cozy yet lively cafe filled with the aroma of fresh coffee beans, my eyes wandered towards an enormous, familiar looking painting.

I felt immersed in the waters of the canvas, surrounded by vibrant, delicate water lilies that sat on the surface of the lake like colorful sprinkles on a cake. It took me a minute to realize that I was staring at one of the many artworks from a collection called "Water Lilies" by the great Monet himself.

The painting is unique, as each fragile lily hovering over the water is portrayed as a blurred spot of color; this contrasts with artwork that heavily focuses on accurately depicting an object's true form and weight. Knowing that this was just another replica, I pondered how such an abstract composition of water lilies captivated the attention of billions of brilliant artists since the 1900s who have become as deeply absorbed in the painting as I had been.

While taking one last look at the extraordinary work of art before parting ways, I realized that simplicity doesn't make an artwork less mesmerizing; It is the technique behind it that truly matters. As Monet reduced the use of unessential components and created an emphasis on color and light in his water lilies, he also paved the road to a new form of art known as Impressionism.

Now, whenever I start a fresh painting, I close my eyes and remember how Monet's water lilies forever changed my perspective on abstract art; It made me realize that there is beauty in simplicity, a concept I applied to my later artworks.