Navigating Painterly and Abstract Boundaries in the Curiosity Series
- Charlotte Wensley
- Mar 1, 2022
- 7 min read
What happens when we allow ourselves to be truly curious in the studio?
When we embrace curiosity as a guiding principle, we unlock a world of possibilities that transcends the traditional confines of artistic creation.
Rather than merely producing art as a means to convey a message or solve a problem, we begin to view our artistic practice as a dynamic exploration filled with questions, uncertainties, and the thrill of discovery.
This shift in perspective can profoundly alter our experience and the outcomes of our creative endeavors.
What if we think about our art process as a way to ask questions rather than a way of creating answers? This approach invites us to engage in a dialogue with our materials, techniques, and concepts.
For this series, I consciously removed any self imposed expectation about how the work might evolve and allowed myself to wander through the unknown, to play with ideas, and to experiment.
| An inquisitive Creative Mindset
This inquisitive mindset encouraged me to see where the limited colours and materials could take the work, which in turn led to new insights into my working process.
I asked myself, 'if I approach my art making with curiosity as my reason for engaging with the creative process, does it change the way I think about the resulting artwork?'.
When curiosity is at the forefront, the resulting artwork becomes a testament to the journey rather than a final destination. Each piece reflects the questions I asked, the risks I took, and the unexpected turns I encountered along the way. As a result, the artwork resonates with a sense of authenticity and spontaneity that is both complex and engaging. It invites viewers to engage with the work on a deeper level, inviting them to ponder the same questions that inspired its creation.
| Artistic Validity
I wondered how I would feel about the validity of the work having taken this curiosity led approach to making in. But I concluded that its value lies in the process itself—the exploration of ideas, the experimentation with forms, and the willingness to embrace uncertainty.
This kind of art challenges the notion of what it means to create and allows for a broader interpretation of artistic merit. The journey becomes as significant, if not more so, than the finished work, as it reflects a genuine pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Engaging with curiosity opens up new creative pathways that can lead to unexpected and exciting outcomes. In approaching this series, I set out with the explicit intention of being curious about the art I would create by imposing certain limitations on aspects such as colour, size, and materials. This framework didn't constrain me; rather, it provided a fertile ground for innovation and exploration.
Working with 'curiosity' front and centre of my decision-making process, I discovered an overwhelming sense of liberty to experiment and explore. This freedom allowed me to combine materials and colours in unconventional ways, resulting in a whole new vocabulary of shapes, textures, and compositions. Each experiment became a stepping stone, leading me deeper into a rich landscape of artistic potential.
For me, the validity of this work is embedded in the clearly defined and purposeful process. The finished artworks, while significant, are secondary to my primary purpose of 'curiosity.'
| Limited Colour Palette
Limiting my colours encouraged me to explore value and contrast in new ways, pushing me to think critically about how these elements interact and influence the overall composition. I found myself contemplating the subtleties of hue and tone, discovering how they could evoke different emotions and responses. Through this process, a strong visual story emerged, developing a momentum of its own. It became clear to me that when we prioritize curiosity as our guiding principle, we tap into a wellspring of creative invention that often lies dormant within us.
| Final Reflections
Each piece stands as a reflection of the questions I asked and the explorations I undertook. They embody the spirit of inquiry that drove me, and through them, I hope to inspire others to embrace their own curiosity in their creative practices.
There are 13 works in this collection, each representing a unique facet of this journey of curiosity. Each piece invites you to engage with the underlying questions which guided the work and to bring your own experiences with creativity and exploration to their interpretation.
| Beginnings
Beginnings speaks to the moment of stepping into a new creative endeavour, when anticipation and uncertainty are woven together in an unknown landscape. This painting was the first of the Curiosity series and invites you to join the journey of material limitations to see what comes creatively when venturing into the world of limited colour palettes. This first step felt very tentative and marked my move from working on canvas to working on board for the first time, which created an impetus to challenge myself with my creative process.
Mixed Media on Board
41cm x 41cm
Original - SOLD
| Consequence
Consequence reflects the weight of choices and the ripple effects they create. Layers of form and colour suggest how decisions, once made, can shape paths in unexpected ways. The painting captures the tension between intention and outcome, reminding us that every action leaves a mark, both seen and unseen.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 30cm
Original - SOLD
| Curiosity
Curiosity captures the restless energy of seeking, where shapes and colours seem to reach beyond their boundaries. This painting embodies the human drive to question, explore, and discover, reflecting the openness and wonder that arise when we step outside the familiar. It invites you to lean into the unknown, where possibility lives.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 40cm
Original - SOLD
| Deflection
A combination of rounded and angular forms and shifting colours suggest movement away from a focal point, creating a visual tension between resistance and engagement. Deflection explores the subtle ways attention can be diverted to avoid uncomfortable discourse, both within ourselves and when acting creatively.
Mixed Media on Board
18cm x 24cm
Original - SOLD
| Far Away
Far Away evokes the sense of distance, layered with physical forms, emotional energy and imagined places. Soft, layered forms and muted tones create a feeling of longing or reflection, as if gazing toward a place just out of reach. The painting mirrors the human experience of yearning, memory, and the quiet pull of what lies beyond the immediate horizon.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 23cm
Original - SOLD
| From The Land
From the Land draws inspiration from the textures, colours, and rhythms of the natural world. The composition evokes the sensation of standing on the edge of the land, looking out toward the open sea. This piece captures that threshold between solid ground and the ephemeral horizon, reflecting the human experience of being both grounded and drawn to the possibilities that lie beyond.
Mixed Media on Board
18cm x 24cm
Original - SOLD
| Optimism
Optimism radiates a sense of hope and possibility, using light, muted colours and uplifting forms within the composition to convey forward-looking energy. It reflects the human impulse to see potential even in uncertain creative moments, capturing the quiet courage of choosing belief over doubt. This piece invites viewers to pause, breathe, and embrace the promise of what lies ahead.
Mixed Media on Board
28cm x 35cm
Original - SOLD
| Potential
Potential captures the quiet energy of something on the verge of becoming. Shapes and colors unfold in this small composition, hinting at growth, possibility, and unseen paths. There’s a tension between the stillness presented in the piece and the notion of future momentum, evoking the human experience of hope, ambition, and the possibilities that lie within us. It’s a visual meditation on what could be.
Mixed Media on Board
20cm x 20cm
Original - SOLD
| Reflection
Reflection invites a pause, a moment of looking inward. Organic shapes and layered textures mirror a memory, suggesting both clarity and distortion. The painting evokes the human experience of contemplation and the replaying of a memory. Capturing the delicate balance between self-awareness and introspection, it is both a snapshot of moment and a quiet ongoing journey.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 40cm
Original - SOLD
| Shadow Girl
Shadow Girl explores the interplay between light and darkness, presence and absence. There is a sense of mystery in the background, suggesting hidden aspects of identity. It evokes the human experience of contemplating our untold stories and finding quiet strength in vulnerability. The painting lingers in the space between seen and unseen, reality and imagination.
Mixed Media on Board
40cm x 30cm
Original - SOLD
| Sky Garden
Mixed Media on Board
35cm x 28cm
Original - SOLD
| The Burrow
The Burrow evokes a sense of sheltering in a hidden world. Layers of textures and shapes hint at depth and enclosure, creating a feeling of safety. This piece reflects the human experience of seeking refuge from life and activity that exists just out of view. It’s an ambiguous and contemplative space that offers protection and nurture.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 40cm
Original - SOLD
| Totem
Totem stands as a symbol of connection .Vertical forms rise like markers of personal and collective history, each shape suggesting stories, experiences, or beliefs stacked over time. The painting evokes the human impulse to commemorate, organize, and find significance in what we create, bridging the tangible and the symbolic. It is a quiet reflection on identity, legacy, and the structures—both physical and emotional—that anchor us.
Mixed Media on Board
30cm x 30cm
Original - SOLD
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