Discovering the Creative Journey Behind My May Art Exhibition
- Laurie Franklin
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Art exhibitions offer a unique window into an artist’s world, revealing the stories, inspirations, and techniques behind each piece. My May art exhibition is no exception - you can view it at 2 St Georges Rd, Elsternwick and also showcased on my website. It represents months of creative exploration, experimentation, and reflection. This blog post takes you behind the scenes of this exhibition, sharing the creative journey that shaped it and the themes that connect the works on display.
The Inspiration Behind the Exhibition
Every exhibition begins with a spark of inspiration. For this collection, I drew from the changing seasons and the emotions they evoke. Autumn is a time of reflection and change, but it also carries a sense of transition. These changing colours and the transition from season influenced the colour palettes and choice of art.
I explored contrasts between light and shadow, softness and sharpness, stillness and movement. The goal was to capture the tension and harmony found in nature’s cycles. For example, the artwork Where the Snow Meets the Sky, emotive loose brushwork is in contrast to the soft winter landscape while the floral painting Waratah Glow 1 has vivid jewel tones, lush green floiage and inky darker tones to suggest the vibrance of summer.
The Creative Process and Techniques
I use a blend of traditional and experimental techniques, primarily working with acrylics on canvas, allowing for vibrant colors and quick layering. I also incorporated mixed media elements such as ink, pastel, gold and copper metallic gilding - raised textural paint, translucent paper and charcoal to add depth and tactile interest.
My process begins with sketches and colour studies. I spend time outdoors, observing light patterns and natural textures, then translate those observations into abstract compositions. I work on various sizes - 30x30 to 2.5 m on so some pieces evolve through multiple stages, and can look very different to the sketch book. with paint scraped away and reapplied to reveal underlying layers.
One technique I found particularly rewarding is using pastel to create definition - the way ot applies over paint is both tactile and loose . I love working with palette knives to create bold, textured strokes. This adds energy and movement to the paintings, reinforcing the themes of change and growth.
Themes Explored in the Exhibition
The exhibition revolves around several interconnected themes:
Transformation: Reflecting the shift from Autumn to Spring, many works explore change as a natural and ongoing process. The bright summery floral painting Floribunda 2
and the olive green and coppery toned floral painting Little Copper Joy
Balance: The tension between opposing forces—light and dark, chaos and order—is a recurring motif. The swell of the ocean at night in the seascape Guiding Light
and the soft seascape in muted daylight tones - Rocky Shore and the vibrant Light of The Bay Portofino
Connection: The pieces invite viewers to consider their relationship with nature and the environment.
Emotion: Abstract forms express feelings of hope, calm, and renewal without relying on literal imagery.. have a squizz at Opalescent Light and Ocean Shimmer
These themes are woven throughout the exhibition to create a cohesive narrative.
Highlighted Works and Their Stories
Several pieces stand out for their unique stories and techniques:
“Native Flora 1” captures the joys of native flowers. Vibrant native blooms fill this oversized canvas resplendent in detail and jewel shades.
“Shadow Ridge” The landscape painting’s gold leaf and inky smudginess invites close inspection.
“Ocean Shimmer” features sweeping, fluid brushstrokes in and ripples of colours - there is pearlescent glow to the paint that can be seen at certain angles - inspired by water and wind. It conveys movement and freedom.
Each work invites viewers to pause and reflect
Engaging with Visitors
One of the most rewarding aspects of the exhibition is the interaction with visitors. Their questions, interpretations, and emotional responses add new layers of meaning to the artwork.
During open studio days, I shared stories about the creative journey and demonstrated some techniques as I paint in the studio.
How to Experience the Exhibition Online
For those who cannot visit in person, the exhibition page offers a virtual experience. High-quality images and detailed descriptions allow online visitors to explore the collection at their own pace.
The page includes:
Gallery views of each artwork
Close-up images showing texture and detail
Artist commentary on inspiration and technique
Information about upcoming events and opportunities to connect
What’s Next in My Artistic Journey
The themes of transformation and connection to Nature continue to inspire upcoming projects. My artwork is about Calm - my work space is an ever changing and creative place - I am constantly exploring new ways to look at the same source material and bring more of the Outside in
I plan to experiment further with mixed media and scale, incorporating larger canvases and sculptural elements. There is also interest in collaborating with other artists to explore shared themes from different perspectives.
Visitors and followers are encouraged to stay connected through the website and newsletter for updates on new work and events.
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