Studio Diary - November 2025: Connecting with Art

Charlotte Wensley
3 days ago
4 min read

One of my favourite things to do is buy art, even though I don't do it very often. For me, paintings (and prints) bring such a sense of personality, style and energy to my home, which I'll admit is unsurprisingly eclectic!

Abstract art with vibrant pink and green geometric patterns, circles, and lines. Bold shapes create a lively and dynamic composition.

I love a bit of everything, from vintage posters, to impasto style paintings, simple watercolours to framed textile pieces, photography to charcoal studies, lino prints to glasswork. Nothing's off limits for me when it comes to collecting art....which got me wondering about the collectors journey.

Because buying a painting is never just a transaction. It’s an emotional experience, a conversation between you and the work. When you choose to bring a piece into your home, it’s because something about it speaks to you — a colour, a shape, a feeling that resonates deep within.

| That First Spark

It often starts with a spark. You might pause at a brushstroke or a be captivated by a colour palette, feel a subtle pull, and recognise that a piece has your attention, even if you can’t yet explain why. That initial attraction is instinctive. It’s the heart responding before the mind catches up.

| A Sense of Connection

As you spend more time with a painting, the connection deepens. You see echoes of your own experiences; a memory of a landscape, a sense of calm, a quiet joy. Art reflects something of ourselves back to us in ways that words rarely can. This connection is what transforms a painting from decoration into something deeply personal.

| Expression Without Words

Bringing art into your life is also an act of expression. A painting becomes a way of saying something about who you are, even silently: your tastes, your moods, the emotions you carry. It’s a language beyond language — one that invites reflection and resonates quietly in the spaces we inhabit.

| The Lasting Emotion

The beauty of owning art is in its enduring presence. Each glance can spark curiosity, comfort, or inspiration. Over time, it becomes woven into the rhythms of your life — a companion in moments of stillness, a reminder of the feelings you value most.

At the heart of buying art is connection. The paintings we choose are the ones that speak to us, that hold a fragment of our own experience, and that quietly transform the spaces we live in.

That’s the magic — the reason we fall in love with a painting is not just for what it looks like, but for how it makes us feel.

| Blog Catch Up

Abstract art with nested squares in pink, peach, and orange. Geometric pattern creates a warm, calming mood. No text present.

I'm juggling various concepts as I work on my current pieces (which are all in a kind of limbo stage), but creating 'flat space' is something I've been thinking more and more about - so I did a bit of research for my latest blog post.

The Beauty of Keeping it Simple : Flat Dimensions Explored

Colorful abstract painting of blue and pink strokes on a clipboard, set outdoors on grass. Sunlit and surrounded by nature.

My current series of landscapes are wandering between various styles of abstract landscape painting at the moment, seemingly with no fixed abode! This blog post takes a look at various commonalities between styles of nature-inspired abstract landscape painting.

Capturing the Spirit of Nature Through Abstract Landscapes

| Art Exhibition Opening

I'm excited to be showing work in this new exhibition at Noosa Art Gallery along with a group of local artists - join us for the opening this weekend if you can - all welcome!

Exhibit poster with abstract art in blue, pink, and orange shapes. Text: Edge & Elegance, Noosa Art Gallery, 22 Nov-6 Jan.

Libby Derham - Saren Dobkins

Andrew Hillhouse - Helen Lawson

Tam Le Art - Trevor Purvis

Karen Rogers - Suellen Tomkins

Jasmine Veronique - Tania Vrancic

Charlotte Wensley - Kurun Warun

Saturday 22nd November from 6pm

100 Rene Street, Noosaville

| Manyung Gallery Christmas Event

Manyung Gallery's Christmas Event at their Art & Design space in Mornington, is on again this weekend. You can find my paintings here and also at their galleries in Sorrento and Flinders over the summer if you find yourself exploring the Mornington Peninsula.

OPENING NIGHT

Friday November 21, 6 pm - 9 pm

EXHIBITION DATES

Saturday November 22, 10 am - 3 pm

Sunday November 23, 10 am - 3 pm

Warehouses 6 & 7, 35 Progress St, Mornington

Art event poster featuring colorful paintings and sculptures. Text reads: "ART $2,000 & UNDER Christmas Event, 21-23 November 2025, Manyung Gallery."

| Art Buyer Quiz and Giveaway

Hand holding colorful patterned cards labeled "Blank Inside" against a backdrop of trees and blue sky, creating a vibrant and cheerful mood.

Art Buyer Quiz and Prize Giveaway!

I'd love your thoughts on the things you think about and consider when buying art for your home.

I've put together a short multiple choice quiz and would be so grateful for your insights! Simply select your answers and at the end you can opt in to the draw to win a greeting card pack of 5 of my original designs with envelopes - perfect for gifting or sending to someone special!

The survey link will close on the 30th November and the winner of the giveaway will be drawn on 1st December.

Thanks so much in advance - I'll keep my fingers crossed for you 😊

Take the 2 minute quiz

| Delivery Dates for Christmas

Candy cane pattern on pink background. Text: "Print Orders Cut-off Dates 2025" with shipping info. Free shipping icon with a truck.

Red background with candy canes, text: "ORIGINALS, Shipping Cut-off Dates 2025. Domestic 17th Dec, International 5th Dec." Free shipping icon.

Cozy living room with abstract colorful artwork above a white sofa with patterned cushions. Text "ORIGINALS & PRINTS Shop Now" in pink.

Pink banner with icons and text: "Soul Space Guarantee," "Free Shipping," "Premium Quality." Notes US and Australian print orders. Hearts icon.

| Final Thoughts

With the weather (and the studio) warming up I'm taking a slightly slower paced approach to my current work - maybe it's because I don't have to run around to keep warm! I'm enjoying the difference its making to my mindset, I hope your creative mindset is matching your studio climate wherever you are!

Have fun with quiz - thanks so much in advance for sharing your thoughts and good luck!