There’s something instantly familiar about Adele Auchterlonie’s work. It feels like a long summer afternoon, a salty dip in the ocean, or a moment shared with friends that lingers just a little longer than expected. Through expressive, layered paintings, Adele captures the beauty in everyday moments.
Her art invites viewers to step into scenes that feel both deeply personal and universally nostalgic. We caught up with the emerging Australian artist to learn more about her creative journey, process and the inspiration behind her beautiful work.
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It was a beautifully creative childhood, shaped by landscape, that led Adele to her career as an artist.
“I grew up in Tasmania, surrounded by the ocean, wild bushland and clear skies. This is the landscape that, even now, continues to inspire my work,” says Adele.
“From a young age, I loved creating and being hands-on. My parents enrolled me in art classes when I was 8, and I’ve been refining my style ever since. Art was never seen as ‘less than’ other subjects like maths or English, it was just something I loved doing and naturally gravitated toward.
“Growing up, I also travelled around Australia, which exposed me to different landscapes, colours and textures shaping my love for details and my thirst for seeing the world.
“Over the past 5 years, I’ve refined my style and this experience has given me confidence. It’s allowed me to fully trust my instincts, just pick up a brush and let the work evolve naturally from a simple idea.”
Adele’s expressive style of art is rooted in storytelling, finding inspiration in every day moments.
“I would describe my work as expressive, narrative-driven paintings that sit somewhere between abstraction and storytelling,” Adele says with a smile.
“I love using colour, texture, and layered imagery to evoke memories and emotions. Text, symbols, and small details often appear in my pieces, helping to create scenes that feel both personal and familiar.
“Over the years, creating commissions and selling pieces has helped me refine my approach and connect with a wider audience. Now, with more focus on my own projects and sharing work online, my style continues to evolve.
“But in essence, the core is always about capturing moments. Whether that’s a summer day with friends, quiet time by the ocean, or a memory inspired by being at home with my family.
“Most of my inspiration comes from the experiences that have shaped my life and the environments where I have evolved.
Nature, the ocean, gardens, camping, and time spent with friends and family are constant touch points. I’m also inspired by memories of Australian summers, diving in Tasmania, or simple everyday moments.
“Music is also a huge part of my artistic process and often guides the mood of a painting. If I’m working on a summery piece, I’ll put on a summer playlist.
“If I’m focusing on something nostalgic or Australian-inspired, I’ll listen to older classics. Even being at home with my son Ned has sparked inspiration. Observing the small moments of life with him has brought a fresh perspective and energy to my work.”
Inside her studio is where the fluid, intuitive process unfolds.
“A typical day starts with music and a coffee,” Adele says.
“In my studio, I usually move between canvases, building layers of colour, marks, and imagery. My process is fluid. I like working across multiple pieces at once and letting them evolve naturally.
“Becoming a parent has also changed how I structure my days! But it’s also given me space to really focus on creating work that’s meaningful to me.
“In many ways, painting feels similar to sailing — a sport I truly love. I start with a direction, but I respond to what comes up in the moment and let the process guide me.”
Adele’s creative process begins with a feeling, rather than a fixed concept.
“My creative process usually begins with a feeling or a moment rather than a fixed image of what the final work will look like,” she explains.
“I often draw inspiration from everyday experiences, especially time spent outdoors during the Australian summer. Things like being in the garden, days at the beach, fishing, diving, or sharing food and drinks with friends. These often spark the first ideas for a painting.
“From there, I start gathering visual references and sketching loose ideas. Sometimes that means jotting down symbols or small elements that I associate with the memory or feeling I want to capture. These might be objects, plants, animals or colours that help tell the story within the piece.
“When I move onto the canvas, the process becomes much more intuitive. I work in layers, building up colour, texture and symbols gradually. Often, the painting evolves as I go, and I let the composition guide me rather than sticking too rigidly to the original idea.
“The final stage is about stepping back and refining the balance of the work. I look at how the colours, shapes and symbols interact and make small adjustments until the piece feels cohesive and holds the energy of the moment that inspired it.
For me, the goal is always to create something that captures a sense of place and feeling, while allowing the viewer to connect with their own memories within the work.
Adele’s expressive, layered paintings aim to create connection in the home.
“What I hope my art does is evoke warmth, nostalgia, and joy. I want it to feel immersive, like stepping into a memory or a moment that’s familiar but also open to personal interpretation,” says Adele.
“Ideally, it sparks a feeling or memory unique to the viewer, while creating a sense of comfort and connection in their space.
“When it comes to bringing art into your home, I always suggest you choose what you genuinely love. Your home should feel like you.
“The piece you choose should make you happy and reflect your personality. Choose and style art because you love it, not because it is trendy or because someone else says it is the right way to do it.
“To create a beautiful, cohesive space, it can help to pick up colours from the artwork and subtly echo them through cushions, rugs or objects in the space so everything feels connected.
“Also, don’t be afraid to move things around. Sometimes styling art is about experimenting until it feels right. The most important thing is that the space feels personal and tells your story.”
We can’t wait to see what’s next for this incredibly talented emerging artist. With exciting exhibitions on the horizon and prints soon to be available on her website, there’s lots to watch out for.
To view more of her expressive layered paintings, follow along and see what’s next. You can check out her website, or follow her on Instagram. And if you love discovering new artists, subscribe to Style Curator to get the latest delivered straight to your inbox.
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