About
Louise Farnay

I’m Louise Farnay, an artist based in Perth, Western Australia, and my journey in art has spanned over 40 years. My work is deeply inspired by my lifelong connection to the ocean, and this inspiration is at the heart of everything I create. Through my art, I aim to capture the fluidity, depth, and mysterious beauty of the sea, allowing you to experience a world where the boundaries between human existence and nature dissolve.

My Artistic Style and Themes

Growing up along Western Australia's vast and pristine stretch of Indian Ocean coastline has profoundly shaped my artistic vision. The ocean has always been my greatest source of inspiration, and I use my work to explore its many facets—its power, serenity, and ever-changing nature.

Oceanscapes: I love creating abstract oceanscapes that reflect the dynamic movement and fluidity of water. My paintings are inspired by the currents, tides, reef walls, and the interplay of light and color, inviting you to lose yourself in their mesmerizing hues and tranquil depths.

Hyper-realism: I also create hyper-realistic paintings, often depicting feminine forms underwater. I’m fascinated by the way light dances across surfaces underwater and how refraction and distortion can transform reality into something otherworldly. These pieces are about freedom, escape, and surrender—letting go and embracing whatever life brings.

Figurative Abstraction: My "beach babes and beach bums" series captures the quirky, playful spirit of beach life in Australia. These works, which feature exaggerated and sometimes awkward figures, reflect human vulnerability and celebrate the joyful, carefree essence of our beach culture.

In all my work, I explore themes of illusion, depth, reflection, and distortion. I want my art to challenge perceptions and offer a fluid, ever-changing connection between the viewer, the ocean, and the deeper self.

My Techniques and Mediums

I primarily work with oil on canvas, but my approach is always evolving. I love experimenting with different techniques to bring my subjects to life, whether I’m capturing the fine details of a hyper-realistic underwater scene or the bold, sweeping movements of an abstract oceanscape. I’m always looking for new ways to play with color, light, and texture to evoke the fluid nature of water and the mysteries of the deep.

Background and Inspiration

I come from a long line of creatives. My mother and grandmother were haute couture fashion designers for celebrities and socialites in Adelaide, and I grew up surrounded by their incredible creativity. (Some of the crown jewels my ancestors designed are housed under top security in the Tower of London.) This heritage, combined with a childhood by the ocean, instilled in me a deep love for art and expression from a very young age. My artistic journey has also been shaped by my extensive travels, where I’ve explored diverse cultures, landscapes, and artistic traditions.

Beyond Painting

In addition to painting, I also love sharing my passion for art through other creative pursuits:

Art Workshops and Art Therapy: I offer art workshops and art therapy sessions, drawing on my training as a Transpersonal Art Therapist to help others discover and express their own creativity.

 

Publications and Exhibitions: My work has been featured in international exhibitions, and I’m always thrilled to share my art with new audiences. I also enjoy creating sculptural pieces and am currently working on a coffee table book that will showcase my journey and creative process.

Connecting Through Art

I believe art has the power to connect us—to each other, to the natural world, and to ourselves. I invite you to explore my work, which is available for purchase through online platforms, so you can bring a piece of this inspiration into your own life. My hope is that my paintings will transport you, allowing you to feel the pull of the tides, the warmth of the sun, and the beauty of the ocean’s endless possibilities.

Thank you for visiting my page. I look forward to sharing my journey with you and hope my art inspires you as much as the ocean inspires me