Exploring the Essence of Experience Through Abstraction in the Distillation Series

Charlotte Wensley
Aug 1, 2022
4 min read

Abstract artwork with green, red, and orange geometric shapes on a white background. Shapes include circles, lines, and triangles in a vibrant pattern.

I'm beguiled by abstraction and the diversity of personal responses to, and interpretations of, an artists non representational creation.

I began this series seeking a fundamental shift in the direction of my art making. I wanted to explore the possibilities of making new art that was different to anything I had made before.

My early arts practice saw a recurrent use of landscape as a metaphor for spiritual space and, in this series, whilst that concept was never far away, I wanted to experiment with new painterly processes in order to create an environment that enabled the evolution of my visual language, beyond landscape, pushing my work further into the realms of abstraction.

Employing new ways of mark making and laying down paint led to free, expressive and at times chaotic beginnings in the early layers of these paintings, which I gradually refined and reduced over time to symbolic forms and lines. The heavily textured surface of the canvas is the result of numerous layers of paint applied during the resolution process. I spent many hours working on the refinement of each piece, adding and subtracting elements before finalising each composition.

The unique direction of each work was informed by reflections on personal narratives, memories and experiences during the painting process, which allowed stories between visual elements to emerge.

Each painting offers the viewer non representational spaces where their mind is free to wander and interpret visual elements according to their personal story.

There are 8 paintings in this collection.

| Dangling

Dangling explores the tension between holding on and letting go — that suspended state where finding balance feels not yet possible. The forms seem to hover in space, caught between movement and stillness, evoking moments in life when we’re poised on the edge of change.

Mixed Media on Canvas

76cm x 76cm

Abstract art with colorful ovals, lines, and circles on a beige background. Vibrant reds, oranges, and blues create a playful mood.

Dining room with orange tablecloth, white chairs, colorful abstract painting, and greenery. Bright, modern, and artistic ambiance.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| Freedom Walks

This piece evokes the feeling of moving through open space — a journey toward release, expansion, and self-trust. Rhythmic shapes trace the energy of motion and discovery, while light and colour suggest earth elements. The painting reflects moments when we step beyond boundaries, both real and imagined, and find a deeper connection to our own sense of direction and freedom.

Mixed Media on Canvas

48cm x 48cm

Abstract artwork with green and red geometric shapes on a textured white background, featuring circles, rectangles, and lines.

Original - SOLD

| Inhabit

Inhabit reflects the act of fully occupying a moment — being present within both place and self. Layers of texture and shifting tones suggest the traces of time, memory, and emotion that shape our sense of belonging. The painting invites a quiet contemplation of what it means to settle into one’s own rhythm, to inhabit not just a space, but an inner landscape of awareness and acceptance.

Mixed Media on Canvas

50cm x 50cm

Abstract art with colorful, overlapping shapes and patterns in orange, yellow, red. Cream background with intricate designs. No visible text.

Modern living room with abstract colorful painting on white wall. Cozily furnished with a light gray sofa, patterned cushions, and wooden tables.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| Legitimate

Legitimate explores the search for authenticity and the quiet assurance that comes from claiming one’s place in the world. Subtle contrasts and layered gestures reveal the push and pull between doubt and confidence, fragility and strength. The painting suggests a process of self-recognition — of finding legitimacy not through external validation, but through the truth of lived experience and creative expression.

Mixed Media on Canvas

100cm x 100cm

Abstract painting with colorful geometric shapes and patterns, featuring circles and lines in orange, blue, and red, creating a vibrant mood.

Modern bedroom with white bedding, abstract colorful painting on wall, black pendant lights, and bedside tables with clock and flowers.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| Over Rule

This painting captures the tension between control and resistance. Bold forms suggest an environment filled with forces colliding, while layered textures hint at underlying complexity and unseen dynamics. The painting evokes moments when powerful thoughts are challenged, boundaries are tested, and the struggle between thought and action is brought into sharp focus.

Mixed Media on Canvas

76cm x 76cm

Abstract painting with geometric shapes and patterns in yellow, blue, and orange. Various circles and lines create a playful mood.

Abstract painting with geometric shapes and bright colors on wall above a beige sofa. Sunlit room with soft cushions and vase on round table.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| Prospects

This piece evokes a sense of anticipation about what lies ahead. Contrasting colours and forms suggest horizons both literal and metaphorical, inviting the you to imagine paths yet to be taken. The painting reflects the optimism, uncertainty, and curiosity inherent in looking forward, capturing the delicate balance between expectation and the unknown.

Mixed Media on Canvas

106 x 76cm

Abstract painting with colorful geometric shapes, red lines, and curved patterns on a textured off-white background. No text visible.

Large abstract painting with red and multicolored patterns on a gray wall above a wooden console with white lanterns, in a modern living room.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| Stacked

Stacked explores accumulation, structure, and the delicate balance between order and tension. Interconnected layered forms rise and are seemingly suspended, suggesting both physical weight and the emotional or mental layers we carry. The painting invites reflection on how experiences, memories, and choices build upon one another, creating complex, interconnected landscapes of personal meaning.

Mixed Media on Canvas

61cm x 77cm

Abstract painting with colorful ovals and lines on a textured, beige background. Features vibrant hues in orange, pink, blue, and yellow.

Mid-century modern console with yellow and white decor, abstract colorful art above. Neutral wall, wood floor. Cozy, artistic vibe.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request - see below.

| The Long Way

The Long Way reflects the journey of patience, persistence, and discovery. Meandering forms and layered textures suggest a path that is neither direct nor predictable, yet rich with experience and insight. The painting evokes the quiet beauty of taking time, embracing detours, and finding meaning in the winding course of life.

Mixed Media on Canvas

100cm x 100cm