Acrylic Painting
saltwaterwoman
Annalisa Lawrence — widely recognised as ‘Saltwater Woman’ — employs an intuitive approach to her practice, drawing inspiration from her extensive travels, coastal lifestyle, and personal encounters.
Artist Profile
Annalisa Lawrence — widely recognised as ‘Saltwater Woman’ — employs an intuitive approach to her practice, drawing inspiration from her extensive travels, coastal lifestyle, and personal encounters. Within her works, Lawrence chronicles her experiences as a mother, surfer, and traveler, each work hinting at the shared threads of the human condition.
Lawrence’s evocative mixed media works, often featuring female surfers and figures by the sea, are marked by her distinctive approach to a figurative style which focuses on the nuanced movements of the human form. She is interested in capturing subtle energy between figures, as well as energy within each each figure, exploring themes of harmony with nature and interpersonal connections. She feels a deep emotional bond with her subject matter.
Lawrence’s artistic journey has garnered recognition in numerous national galleries and art fairs, and has attracted collectors from Australia, Europe, and the USA. Her works have featured in publications such as Art Edit, Swell, Inside Out Magazine and ‘Hunting for George’.
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I predominantly use acrylics and oil sticks in my work. Acrylics dry quickly, allowing me to capture the immediacy of my inspiration. Oil sticks add a tactile quality and depth, enriching the sometimes textured, yet minimalist backgrounds that characterize my paintings. This combination lets me balance swift execution with textured detail, highlighting the simplicity and stillness of my subjects.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
My creative process begins with applying base layers of gesso, textured mediums, and chosen colors. While my initial ideas often evolve unexpectedly, I've found that letting go of rigid expectations allows my creativity to unfold naturally.<p> The most time-consuming part of my process is deciding where to place the figures. This phase is crucial as it shapes the entire composition. Once I've settled on the arrangement, I paint the figures and fine-tune the artwork by adding or removing elements.<p> I've learned that rushing through this stage can cause me to miss subtle cues that time reveals. So, I embrace a deliberate, process-driven approach—different from the fast pace of daily life—to ensure the best artistic outcomes. This patient method reflects my dedication to creating artworks where thoughtful decisions lead to the most compelling results.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
My studio is located in my home, a small, bright room tucked away from the main living spaces. This intimate setting offers a retreat where I can shut out the outside world and focus on my work. The space is filled with natural light, enhancing the calm and contemplative atmosphere I strive to capture in my paintings, if I need a break I will scoot down to one of the local beaches for a swim, walk or sometimes a surf. Surrounded by my materials and the quiet hum of my creative process, I enter a different world—a place where the simplicity and stillness of my subjects come to life. Here, I fully engage with my art, finding the balance between focus and freedom that defines my creative journey.
Career Highlights
- Sell out first exhibition alongside Jasmine Mansbridge at Van Rensburg Galleries (now Gallery Alchemy) in 2021
- Featured in Inside Out magazine, Hunting for George, The Local Project
- Finalist in the Blue works on paper with Blackstone Gallery, 2020
