Memories and Stories Become New Narratives for Abstract Landscapes in the Habitat Series

Charlotte Wensley
Oct 1, 2022
4 min read

Abstract painting with geometric shapes in bold colors like teal, orange, and red. Overlapping patterns create a vibrant, dynamic composition.

This series began as a pathway to explore and communicate historical stories and events that have taken on a deep and personal significance over time.

A year in the making, these paintings permanently inhabited my studio space alongside other work which gave me a tangible and compelling reason to pause and reflect on their purpose and meaning as a body of work.

In a fast paced and busy world, it felt incongruous to devote 12 months to contemplating and slowly resolving a single body of work. But as a result of allowing myself this time, an important shift occurred in my approach to my work.

The ebb and flow of influences from concurrent projects and working practices infused each painting in unique ways. Each piece speaks not only to it's own story but also to a present day moment in time as colours, collage elements and compositional ideas were 'borrowed' from other work and sketchbook happenings.

The resulting pieces capture both old stories and memories and new narratives about what was happening in the studio at the time the painting was being created.

Dwelling with and working alongside the reflections and progress that these paintings represent has been a powerful and energizing experience, encouraging me to create tangible history in my work.

There are 7 paintings in this collection.

| Beyond

Beyond is a compelling piece with a sense of looking past the immediate, and towards the horizon. This piece invites you to imagine futures not yet defined and wonder about what lies in the distance. Its composition and layered shapes describe the human impulse to keep moving forward, towards the unknown.

Mixed Media on Canvas

30cm x 30cm

Abstract painting with overlapping geometric shapes in bold colors like orange, blue, and red. No text; conveys a vibrant and dynamic mood.

Abstract painting with vibrant colors on a wall above a gray sofa with patterned pillows and a vase of dried flowers. Serene setting.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request (see below).

| Camping Out

Camping Out evokes the experience of being fully immersed in nature, where time slows and the rhythm of the natural world takes over. It reflects the human need to pause, step away from built environments, and reconnect with the land in its raw form. This piece invites you to step into the freshness of the open air under the vastness of the sky, and find both grounding and renewal.

Mixed Media on Board

60cm x 50cm

Abstract painting with vibrant colors, featuring a textured green leaf motif. Collage-like patterns of red, blue, and orange dominate the scene.

Wicker chair, green plant, and books on wood table beside abstract colorful painting on textured wall; calm, artistic room setting.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request (see below).

| Grounded

Grounded conveys a sense of stability and presence through its abstract forms and layered textures. The work speaks to the human strength that holds steady amid movement and change. It reflects the act of pausing, centering, and reconnecting with what anchors us.

Mixed Media on Board

40cm x 40cm

Abstract painting with colorful geometric shapes, featuring blues, greens, and reds. Vertical stripes and layered textures create depth.

White table with a vase of flowers and objects, framed abstract art on gray wall. Bright colors in painting, minimalistic and serene setting.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request (see below).

| Offerings

Offerings evokes our symbiotic relationship with nature. This painting speaks to themes of gratitude and connection, of nature's generosity and the human experience of receiving goodness from our natural world. Taking in the blue sky, feeling the rays of sunlight, inhaling the aroma of lush grass, all offerings gifted freely. This piece invites you to contemplate the notion that to accept these offerings we must be truly present in the moment.

Mixed Media on Board

60cm x 50cm

Colorful abstract painting with vertical lines and geometric shapes. Features blues, reds, yellows, and greens with textured patterns.

Modern kitchen with abstract colorful artwork on wall, marble counter with vase of green branches, two wooden stools, and pendant lights.

Prints available on request (see below).

| Place of Secrets

Place of Secrets is about the mystery of hidden spaces—both in the landscape and within ourselves. The painting suggests layers of memory, unspoken truths from long ago and the gravity of shared stories kept beneath the surface. It reflects the human experience of journeying though the landscape of life whilst carrying what is concealed.

Mixed Media on Canvas

140cm x 140cm

Abstract painting with vibrant teal, red, and white geometric patterns. Horizontal layered lines and a small red circle evoke a calm mood.

Abstract painting with red, blue, and teal lines and shapes hangs on a white wall above a brown sofa with cushions and small tables.

Original - SOLD

Prints available on request (see below).

| The Night Bus

The Night Bus evokes a story of transience, sliding door moments and uncertainty happening in the hush of night. The painting hints at solitude, despite being suspended together in collective motion and speaks to the human experience of shared stories that unfold in fleeting moments.

Mixed Media on Canvas

75cmx 76cm