Second Shore is a coastal-inspired art brand based in Buffalo, NY, created for those who love lake days, ocean air, and art that brings both to life. Founded by artist and lifelong creator Justine Palkowski, Second Shore blends the colors, textures, and stillness of the water into beach-themed paintings, ornaments, and gifts that feel like home.
Whether you’re decorating your coastal getaway, gifting something special, or simply craving that calm shoreline feeling, Second Shore was made for you.
CHARTING OUR COURSE
It started with a little heartache on the Fourth of July.
While I was living by the ocean in Charleston, SC, my family was spending the holiday at our lake house in Central New York. I felt a deep ache to be there—to hear the waves lap against the dock, to watch the sunset over the trees, to feel the wind roll off the water.
That moment sparked a realization: I wasn’t torn between coasts. I was lucky to love both.
Second Shore was born out of that love. A love for the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. For driftwood and seashells. For Oneida Lake and the Lowcountry marshes. For the places that inspire my art and the people who bring it home.
Hi, I’m Justine.
I’ve had a pencil or paintbrush in my hand since I was a kid. I lived for art class and was lucky to have several pieces selected for student shows at the Albright-Knox (now Buffalo AKG). I later studied studio art, English, and marketing in college—then built a career in marketing while continuing to create on the side.
Today, I’m still a full-time marketer, but I pour my heart into Second Shore every chance I get. I paint after bedtime, during quiet weekends at the lake, or when the light hits just right in my studio. Each piece reflects a love for water, color, and the calm that only a shoreline can offer.