©Coastal Meanderings Part 1-3 (2025) by CLT_Abstracts, Mixed media on paper, in box frames.

This set of 3 mixed media artworks have been in a recent exhibition at the Poly in Falmouth. They started as experimental pieces whereby i tested out different processes and went with the flow. I decided to make them with the mindset that nothing was a failure or wrong, even if it didn't end up exactly how i expected. I let the work guide me through each step and found this a very liberating way to create. I would usually have this intuitive approach but with a bit of intention in it. The only intention i had for these 3 pieces was to use coastal blues and white. Here is a breakdown of what i did for each one and what meaning they took on at the end:

Part 1 - represents finding joy in the little things like exploring the coastline and discovering seaweed mixed with spiral shaped shells. I was thinking about the fun things i had done when i was younger and one of them was looking in rockpools. I loved discovering little creatures and pretty shells. If they were really colourful or patterned, even better! I made this one from collaged pieces, to create a texture that reminded me of the shells, and towards the end i added the intentional spiral shell shapes. It brings me a feeling of nostalgia when i look at it.

Part 2 - is of a mother sitting on a rock clutching her baby and overseeing her other children chatting together amongst the rockpools. A moment in time, in a rare place of safety, and even that can change with the tide. This one started with me dragging the paint around with no thought. A completely intuitive and experimental process filled with curiosity at what it would turn into. I then outlined the painted marks and that is when i saw figures appearing and a story. I don't have children of my own and i have been subconsciously grieving that lost chapter of my life. So it was interesting to paint from a mother's perspective and sit with that "mother wound". It showed me my fears of hypothetically trying to manage to keep all the plates in the air and keep the children safe, and i can only imagine how stressful that would feel. So hats off to all the Mum's (and Dad's) out there doing it! You don't get a manual and yet you're all finding a way to do it. I think my fears probably come from being a perfectionist and obviously being a parent would be an organic process, so you can't control every aspect of it and get it all perfect all the time. Anyone even attempting to get pregnant, and then do all the other things after that, is pure magic in my eyes. I'm not sure it's on my horizon. All i can do is pray and hope the universe has a plan to make it happen or maybe something else will take it's place.

Part 3 - is of sea spray and water bubbles, signifying the flow of life. I think this is my favourite of the three to look at because it feels balanced and has more lighter areas in it. It is made up of collage, posca details and textured painted areas. The bubbles created an interesting pattern and add to the light and airy feeling of the piece.

All 3 were on show at The Poly, in Falmouth, recently and they were presented on the wall as you can see here in the photo below:

I think that the curation of the Member's show was done very thoughtfully because the colours and textures were complimentary between all the works on each wall space. The subject matters were mostly coastal themed too which was nice. You may notice there was a continuity with the outlines and colours, the patterns, the size of the works and the frame choices.

If you would like to buy the set, or even just one part of the 3, please go to my website: Framed Coastal Mini Series

Thank you for supporting my work! Feel free to send me a message on Facebook or Instagram to chat. My inbox is always open to answer your questions about my art process or the artworks themselves.

Much love, Charlotte a.k.a CLT_Abstracts