Abstract Landscape Adventures: Experimenting with Curiosity, Colour and Shape in Explorer Series.

Charlotte Wensley
Nov 1, 2023
8 min read

Updated: 20 hours ago

Abstract painting with vibrant geometric shapes in blues, pinks, and oranges. Features patterns, circles, and lines, creating a lively mood.

This series began as an experimental way to explore colour and shape through 'sketching', working on paper with limited colour palettes.

Responding to initial marks and suggestions presented by beginning with two or three pieces of collage material, I went on to develop shapes intuitively based on what was happening within the image.

Each artwork employs a different colour palette; some were based on colour theory principles and others in response to working on bigger paintings at the same time and sometimes I just used the colours that were on my palette on any given day.

My aim was to maintain a freedom to use any mediums, materials and processes and explore ways in which they could be combined at different stages of making the artworks and to see what impact, if any, these variations had on the finished piece.

Each piece came to exist from a place of endless possibilities and the process of resolving these sketches and exploring in this way led me to more deeply analyse my approach to my art making.

I discovered that a fundamental driver of my arts practice is the journey of beginning with a visual problem then exploring different ways to solve it. This process involves many layers of addition, subtraction, re-frame and risk taking until all the components of the image feel balanced.

To help me reflect more deeply on my own working progress I made videos of each these pieces coming to life, which you can watch in my Blog here.

There are 18 paintings in this series.

| Balancing Act

Balancing Act brings together colour harmony and contrast, where bold shapes and complementary hues play off each other. It offers a gentle invitation to let go of built-up energy, allowing it to settle into calming fields of green. At its heart, the painting reflects the everyday balancing we all navigate — between energy and rest, chaos and clarity.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting of colorful, geometric patches with stripes and dots. Dominant green, blue, and orange hues. A sun-like circle in top right.

Framed abstract art with colorful geometric patterns hangs on a beige wall. Below, a table holds pine cones, a stack of books, and a cup.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Beach Day

Beach Day was inspired by the carefree spirit offered by sun-drenched hours by the sea, where the foredune trees offer shady respite from the heat. colours ripple and dance like light on water. The composition is built in organic layers with space held for the simple pleasures of a day at the beach; the light on the water, the warmth of the sun-baked sand and the joy of salty air. It’s a painting that celebrates ease, playfulness, and the rhythms of coastal life.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract collage with geometric shapes in green, blue, yellow, and black. Features textures, patterns, and layered vertical lines. Moody and dynamic.

Abstract art with green, yellow, and blue rectangles in a black frame above a neatly made bed with white pillows and sheets, on a gray wall.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Bounce Off

Bounce Off is about moving through life with energy and a positive outlook. It reflects those moments when setbacks or surprises don’t stop us, but instead push us onto a different path and in a new direction. This painting holds space for the playful resilience of the human spirit, where every rebound opens up a world of new possibilities.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract collage with colorful geometric shapes, featuring patterns and textures in blue, pink, green, and yellow. No visible text.

Cozy living room with gray chair, yellow and striped cushions, wooden tables, and a colorful abstract painting on the wall.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Bubble & Stripe

Bubble and Stripe began as a joyful creative play with leftover pieces of collage paper and grew into a deeper reflection on moments of lightness as an untethered and wandering spirit, set against a backdrop of structure and direction. The 'bubbles' speak to our capacity for embracing freedom and fluidity, while the stripes invite us to contemplate the frameworks and boundaries that often shape our path. Together, they echo the human experience of holding both play and purpose as central to our being.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with pink, red, yellow patterns, and circles on rectangles. Vibrant, dynamic composition with diagonal and striped elements.

A desk with a potted plant and books, beneath an abstract artwork in bright pinks and yellows on a gray wall. Minimalist and serene.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Dusty Summer

This painting is a lingering and nostalgic reflection on European summer days when time seemed to stretch and blur. Its muted yellows recall the faded glow of sun-soaked fields of corn, the warmth of dry earth, and the gentle hush of soporific afternoons that stretched into long warm evenings. Dusty Summer carries a sense of longing — an echo of times past, where simplicity and stillness left an imprint on me as a child, and one that endures to this day.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract artwork with geometric patterns in green, yellow, and pink. Features leaf shapes, lines, and grid patterns on a textured background.

Beige sofa with patterned cushions in brown and white. Abstract art with green and pink hues on the wall. White table with brown vase.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Forest Flow

Moving with the quiet rhythm of nature, layers of shifting greens and earthy tones weaving together like light through branches. Forest Flow carries a sense of immersion in the environment, and invites you to drift along on the energy of the gentle bubbling current of a forest stream. This painting reflects our human need to pause and align with something greater than ourselves, and feel held by the steady flow of the natural world.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with geometric shapes and lines in green, pink, and blue tones. Patterns include stripes, dots, and circles, creating a lively mood.

Framed abstract painting with green, pink, and blue patterns on a white wall. Plant and bottles on a table; window nearby. Minimalist setting.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Harvest Moon

The golden yellows in Harvest Moon shine with a soft radiance, reflecting seasons of growth. The landscape elements serve as a reminder of completed cycles and movement towards rest, reflection, and renewal after experiencing an emotional transition; embodying lessons learned and the emergence from personal challenge to a place of understanding. The painting conveys the idea that gathering in all the parts of ourselves and allowing seasons of self nurture is an essential part of the human experience.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract artwork with blue, yellow, and black geometric patterns. Circular and linear shapes intersect, creating a dynamic, textured scene.

Abstract art in blue and yellow hangs above a gray sofa with striped pillows. A wooden table features a plant and books, creating a cozy vibe.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Hiding Place

Hiding Place holds the quiet comfort of a place to retreat to, in order to step out of the fray, a space where the outside world and diminishes and the inner world has room to breathe. This painting contemplates those moments when we pull back to restore, reflect, and gather strength. It speaks to our need for sanctuary, reminding us that it's possible to view the state of solitude as positive and deeply nourishing.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract geometric artwork with vibrant teal, pink, and gold colors, showcasing overlapping shapes, stripes, and dots in a layered pattern.

Framed abstract art with pink and teal geometric patterns on a white wall above a sofa. Neutral pillows and a plant add cozy accents.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Orange Punch

Orange Punch began as an exploration of colour - violet, green and orange. It quickly became clear that highly saturated versions of these colours was too intense - even for me! It prompted me to think about balance, both in terms of colour and also in life. We need to be bold and strong sometimes but we also need a calm and soothing place to retreat to. So this piece became about contemplating the human spirit’s need for both of these opposing ideas.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with colorful, geometric patterns and overlapping shapes in pastel and bold hues. No text is visible.

Framed abstract art with geometric patterns hangs on a beige wall above a bench. Bench holds folded blankets, pinecones, books, and a mug.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Out The Back

This painting evokes memories of a road trip across the Nullarbor Plain I made years ago, with the striking contrast between the blue sky and the red earth stretching as far as the eye could see. It captures the sensation of infinite curiosity about what lies beyond the horizon, where the sea beneath the cliffs moves in a rhythmic pattern, and from where the curvature of the earth is captivating. This artwork embodies both the excitement of adventure and the tranquility of escape, reminding us of our smallness in the universe and the comfort that realization brings. It invites reflection on freedom, personal perspective, and the deep breaths we take when we remember our insignificance in the grand scheme of things.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with geometric shapes in red, orange, and blue tones. Features lines, dots, and patterns; evokes a vibrant, dynamic mood.

Framed abstract painting with vibrant blue, orange, and red geometric patterns. Hanging on a gray wall above a white vase with green leaves.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Peach Perfect

The essence of Peach Perfect lies in an awareness of those sweet life moments that remain in our memories, influencing how we perceive happiness and joy in the future. This painting encourages you to pause and reflect, fostering a deeper appreciation for the present, informed by past experiences and shaping future ones. It serves as a reminder to acknowledge the importance of seemingly ordinary moments.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract art with geometric shapes and lines in pink, orange, and black. Textured layers and patterns create a dynamic, energetic mood.

Framed abstract painting with pink, black, and orange patterns on a wall. A decorative vase with eucalyptus stands on a table below.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Sail Away

This painting invites you to drift into a space of open horizons, where colour and form echo the pull of tides. Sail Away carries a sense of quiet release, like letting go of what’s anchored and trusting one's spirit to guide the way. It’s both an escape and an invitation — a reminder of the freedoms found where the ocean meets the shore, and the sense of calm that beach combing brings whilst surrendering one's self to the sounds of the sea.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with vibrant red, blue, and yellow patchwork patterns. Circles and stripes create a dynamic, vibrant composition.

Framed colorful abstract painting with geometric patterns on a white wall. Below, a wooden table holds a bowl, eggs, and a sandwich.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Sky Ripples

Capturing the feeling of looking upward and watching clouds scudding across the sky in all their myriad forms, this painting explores the rhythmic movements in nature; falling leaves, shifting skies, ripples on water, all fleeting patterns that invite us to pause and draw energy from nature's offerings. It invites you to contemplate transience, notice the subtle beauty unfolding in these passing moments and absorb the good energy they create.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant colors like blue, green, yellow, and pink. Features stripes and dots.

Framed abstract art with vivid colors on a gray wall above a wooden table. Teapot and cups create a modern, minimalist setting.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields is alive with a sense sweetness, and remembered abundance. its colours reminiscent of fruitful hours spent in homage to the earth, enjoying nature's generosity. This piece stirs memories of warm joyful summer days, and invites a feeling of nostalgia for simpler times.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract artwork with geometric shapes and lines in pink, brown, and green shades. Dotted patterns and circles create a dynamic mosaic.

Modern room with white furniture, abstract art on the wall, black lamp, and a woven basket. Neutral tones create a calm, minimalist vibe.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Sunday Dunes

This painting evokes abstract memories of Sundays by the sea, and the rolling landscape where shifting sands meet both an endless sky and the deep blue ocean. It holds the quiet majesty of nature unmarked, a place where the world feels boundless expansive and free. The meditative calm of being in an such open space, where time slows down and the horizon invites you to drift beyond the everyday, is to be embraced with gratitude and arms outstretched.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with vibrant vertical stripes in blues, yellows, pinks, and purples. Geometric patterns create a dynamic, lively mood.

Framed abstract art with pastel colors on a white wall, next to a black console with decor, a chair, and a small table with books.

Prints available on request (see below).

| The Galah

The soft muted hues in this piece hint at human resilience wrapped in delicate colour, and joy carried lightly. This painting evokes the nuanced emotional landscape of the human experience; the shapes relate to the beauty of both blending in and standing out in a world of sameness. It holds space for notions of simplicity and is a reminder that even the most ordinary landscapes can be transformed by a flash of unexpected colour.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract artwork featuring a patchwork of colorful geometric shapes with pink, green, and blue hues. Dots and stripes create intricate patterns.

Modern wood sideboard with books and decor, framed colorful abstract art on wall, minimalist candles. Neutral tones create a calm setting.

Prints available on request (see below).

| The Leftovers

The Leftovers, (despite being inspired by the remains of a colour palette!) goes beyond the literal, evoking the essence of what lingers after cycles of transformation. Fragments of form and colour drift like echoes, suggesting the traces of energy that refuse to vanish. It becomes less about absence and more about presence and the unseen memories of personal experience that continue to shape the present.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm

Abstract painting with geometric shapes, vibrant colors, and varied patterns. Features stripes, dots, and leaf-like forms in a patchwork design.

Modern room with a beige sofa, patterned pillows, and a wooden side table. Abstract artwork with geometric shapes hangs on the wall.

Prints available on request (see below).

| The Village Fete

The Village Fete vibrates with a sense of gathering energy, where shapes and colours intermingle like voices in a crowd. There’s a celebratory rhythm in its composition; playful, fleeting, and alive, as if the surface itself is caught in the swirl of music, laughter, and shared ritual. Beneath the vibrancy lies a deeper reflection on community, connection, and the joy of collective memory.

Mixed Media on Paper

29cm x 42cm