TROPICAL PARADISE

I’m lucky enough to be able to say that I have travelled to Indonesia many times, sometimes more than once a year! Many would know Indonesia best thanks to Bali being now a world famous destination, but my heart is set on a little wild and secluded island in the archipelago of the South Seas, called Sumba.

The island of Sumba still feels wild and mostly untouched, and the connection to nature is present at every moment!
While staying in Sumba the time seems to stop to allow me to take in the natural beauty that surrounds me, from the stunning palette of cotton candy sunrises, vibrant blue skies, palm trees and jungle for as far as the eye can see, dead calm tropical storms, the gentle sound of waves, bright sunshine, the intense sunsets and every condition in between, these are the ever inspiring Southern Seas.

Every time I visit Sumba I come back refreshed and refuelled on inspiration to create new abstract landscapes!

The most recent trip to Indonesia coincides with the unveiling of my latest creation in collaboration with Atlas Pearls, a unique artwork featuring my signature style, 23 karat gold leaf paired with 25 unique Atlas Pearls.

Atlas has pearling farms located in the South Seas of Indonesia so I feel naturally connected to these waters and their precious little beauties.

Here’s a sneak peek of the painting titled ‘The South Sea Pearls’ which will be unveiled at the Atlas Pearls Claremont Showroom on Monday 10th December

I will be at the Atlas showroom from Monday 10th to Friday 14th December from 1pm-2pm so come say hi and view the latest collection of paintings as part of my ‘artist-in-residence’ showcase with Atlas.

To celebrate Atlas Pearls is offering 10-20% storewide (T&C apply, see in store for details)

COAST – AN EVENING IN CONVERSATION WITH LISA MESSENGER

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? May be you have to be a little crazy. May be you have to see things differently.

I am not one to buy magazines very often, sometimes I just feel like flicking through interior magazines at the beach to get visual inspiration but I still remember the day I picked up the very first issue of Collective Messenger back in 2013, I was simply drawn in. Since then I bought every single issue and I still keep them stacked amongst my favourite books in case I feel the need to get back for some more inspiration.

There’s so many motivational stories featured in each issue of Collective Hub so there’s always something that sparks a bit more inspiration that fuels my creative spirit.

When I heard that Lisa Messenger, editor of Collective Hub, was coming to Perth, I just could not pass the opportunity to see her speak.

We met Lisa on a warm summer evening at Coast Port Beach, one of my favourite beaches in Perth.

If I’m not at the studio painting, you’ll probably find me at the beach!

So I couldn’t resist the opportunity to enjoy a drink by the coast before meeting Lisa and take in the fabulous views over the Indian Ocean, a constant inspiration to my abstract landscapes.

“Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them.”

I am blessed to be able to work with so many inspiring creatives in my industry and to be surrounded by incredibly talented entrepreneurs in my life.

So here’s to keeping inspired. Connected. Empowered. Resourceful. Excited.

Creative and curious.

COBALT BLUE

Cobalt blue! This is an intoxicating colour - the colour of sun washed freedom!

I spent the last four weeks refuelling on inspiration and recharging my creative heart in a small coastal surf town in Portugal, called Ericeira.

To my surprise, almost every corner of this small fishing village is painted in cobalt blue, which enriches the town with a vibrancy and uniqueness that are a delight to my eyes! 

Along the coast, the water turns from cerulean to navy, to aqua, depending on the qualities of light and sun. Smooth, ruffled, or simply dreamy; that ocean is not silent. Every time I have watched it and listened to it, I saw a different story. At first it told me only of the plain calm beaches of towns and people close to me, but later it grew more friendly and spoke of other things; of things more distant in space and in time.

I think that a dream like that will never return. I painted my hands and face blue, then all of sudden I was abducted by the wind and I started to fly in the infinite sky, to fly, to sing... In the blue, painted blue... Happy to stay up there, and I flew and flew, happily, higher than the sun and even higher! (NEL BLU DIPINTO DI BLU ~ D. MODUGNO)

‘Whispering tide’ is one of my latest ocean inspired landscapes: every time you will be looking at this piece I want you to feel the soft breeze, inhale the fragrance of sea mist and luxuriate in the warmth of the sun!

'Whispering tide' acrylic and 23 karat gold leaf on canvas 101 x 101 cm

This painting, along with my latest collection of emotional landscapes, will be on show at my upcoming exhibition in Perth ‘Promise of Spring’ opening on Thursday 10th August at Seven Willows Designs Studio, from 6-8pm Suite 4 Second Avenue Plaza, 755 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley

You are all invited, please email me at info@francescagnagnarella.com if you’d like to receive an invitation or simply RSVP to Sharon at sevenwillowdesigns@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Hope to see you there!