Abstract Landscapes Become a Journey Through Time and Place in the Departure Series

Charlotte Wensley
Aug 1, 2021
5 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Abstract painting with geometric shapes and patterns in pink, yellow, and white hues. Features circles, lines, and layers, creating a vibrant mosaic effect.

Revisiting Memory and Connection

Journeys, in all their forms, are woven from moments that leave lasting impressions. Some pass by in the blink of an eye, others unfold slowly across time — yet each, whether fleeting or enduring, recent or long past, physical or imagined, carries an emotional weight.

These moments have a way of settling into us, gathering meaning with hindsight, and deepening our understanding of both place and self.

This series of abstract landscapes emerged from those layered reflections — responses to where I have come from, where I am heading, and the shifting terrain in between. The works draw upon memories carried like fragments of a map, alongside more immediate impressions of the environments I move through. They are not literal records of a place, but rather interpretations of how a journey feels: the fluid passage of time, the gravity of memory, the questions of belonging and connection that arise while moving through landscapes both inner and outer.

Each painting becomes a pause along the way — an attempt to translate the rhythm of travel, the textures of memory, and the elusive sense of being in motion yet always rooted in something larger than the path itself.

There are 9 painting in this series (2021).

| All At Sea

All at Sea is a metaphor for a life tossed on the sea and in a place where reference points dissolve and only instinct and feeling remain. The dark shifting layers suggest tides of memory and emotion, pulling at what was once anchored, between past and future, loss and renewal. It speaks to the beauty and unease of surrendering to the journey where meaning is found not in reaching the shore, but in drifting.

Mixed Media on Board

60cm x 40cm

Bright abstract painting with vertical shapes in orange, yellow, and green patterns. Blue and green textured background evokes a forest.

A cozy room with a white sofa, beige and gray pillows, and a draped throw. A colorful abstract painting and potted plant accent the wood wall.

Original - SOLD

All At Sea - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Are We There Yet

Are We There Yet captures the restless tension of undertaking a journey, being suspended between departure and arrival. Its abstract forms echo the motion, the pull of anticipation, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. The painting invites you to contemplate notions of resolution whilst remaining present in the in-between.

Mixed Media on Canvas

43cm x 35cm

Abstract art with geometric shapes, dots, and bold colors like red, pink, and blue. Features eye-like circles, creating a whimsical mood.

Abstract painting with geometric shapes on a wall above a wooden cabinet. Three colorful mugs sit on the cabinet, creating a modern, artistic vibe.

Original - SOLD

Are We There Yet - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Dream Machine

Dream Machine hums with the energy of imagination in motion, where shapes and colours intertwine like shifting gears of the subconscious. It evokes the sense of being carried through layered dreamscapes, half-memory, half reality. I often feel as though dreams themselves are engines and catalyst for conscious thought, propelling us toward hidden truths.

Mixed Media on Canvas

50cm x 50cm

Abstract painting with colorful geometric patterns and shapes on a dark, speckled background. Vibrant colors include pink, orange, and blue.

Abstract painting with colorful geometric patterns in a black frame, hanging on a white wall above a shelf with green vases and stacked books.

Original - SOLD

Dream Machine - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Far From There

This painting reflects on physical and emotional distance between people and places we are connected to and the memories we have of them. It evokes a place where these echoes become part of our contemporary inner landscape. Its abstract forms suggest both strength and depth of feeling, a recognition that separation intensifies the memory of lived experience. Far From There becomes a meditation not just on distance and geography but also on the emotional spaces we grow into with the passing of time.

Mixed Media on Board

30cm x 40cm

Abstract painting with blue, green, and yellow colors, featuring organic shapes, circles, and lines. Calm, harmonious mood with layered textures.

Abstract painting with blue and green shapes on a wall above a shelf holding white vases and books in a neutral-toned room.

Original - SOLD

Far From There - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Hustlers

By observing the natural world, we can gain insights into our own journeys, learning to observe and appreciate the interconnectedness, resilience, and beauty that exist in life. This piece was inspired by the sound of frogs in the greenery after rain, with their vocal call reminding us of our shared existence with the world around us. Hustlers was commissioned for a wildlife exhibition at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast.

Mixed Media on Canvas

50cm x 60cm

Abstract painting with green, yellow, and white patterns resembling leaves and raindrops. Dark, textured background creates a whimsical mood.

Artistic abstract painting with green and white patterns on a wall above a modern table with minimalist decor and a vase of branches.

Original - SOLD

Hustlers - Canvas Print - Gallerywrap

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| Rustlers

Rustlers drew inspiration from the Blue Tongued Lizard and its timid nature. We often only notice its presence when we hear the rustling of fallen leaves beneath the trees. This quiet existence resonates deeply with the way life provides us a similar path of calm and steady reflection as we go about our days. This painting invites you to reflect on the the power of quietness and being completely aware of the present moment. Rustlers was commissioned for a wildlife exhibition at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast.

Mixed Media on Canvas

50cm x 60cm

Abstract artwork with triangular patterns in orange, yellow, and blue on a dark, starry background. Circular motifs and textured details.

Framed colorful abstract art above a cozy bed with white and beige linens in a minimalist room. A plant and wicker basket add texture.

Original - SOLD

Rustlers - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Sliders

Sliders was inspired by the Eastern Bandy Bandy snake - endemic to Australia and strikingly beautiful with its black and white striped scales. It is found in a variety of habitats, including wet coastal forests, Acacia, mulga and mallee scrubs, savannah woodland and spinifex desert sandhills. Sliders was commissioned for a wildlife exhibition at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny on the Sunshine Coast.

Mixed Media on Canvas

50cm x 60cm

Abstract painting with swirling patterns in red, yellow, and brown. Eye-like shapes and dots create a vibrant, dynamic composition.

Colorful abstract painting with oval patterns on the wall. A cozy bench below holds gray blankets and pinecones. Books and a cup are stacked.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request (see below)

| Rolling With It

This piece became a story about going with the flow in life, rolling with the punches and accepting whatever the universe has in store. It evokes memories of travelling though Europe with the diversity of life and cultures changing all the time, yet revealing an interconnectedness between us all, which settled profoundly during long days on the road.

Mixed Media on Board

40cm x 40cm

Abstract painting with vibrant patterns of green, yellow, and blue shapes resembling trees and buildings, creating a whimsical atmosphere.

Abstract painting with geometric shapes in greens and blues hangs on a gray wall above a white table with dishes and red vases.

Original - SOLD

Rolling With It - Canvas Print - Framed

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| Sundae Night

This painting was inspired by a memory of a special occasion as a child, involving a night time outing and an ice cream parlour! Of all the childhood memories it's possible to remember this one remains vivid to this day. Special moments often shape our identities and influence our emotions. Looking back, they evoke feelings of happiness and nostalgia, and are comforting when they're imbued with a sense of belonging.

Mixed Media on Canvas

76cm x 76cm