About

Carolyne Jane
THE BLOCK ARTIST - 2024 and 2025

I was absolutely thrilled that two of my works were again selected to feature in this year’s series of THE BLOCK in Daylesford 2025 and last year in THE BLOCK Phillip Island 2024! It is an incredible honour to be part of such a well-loved show, and I can’t begin to express how exciting it was to see my art displayed every night during contestant interviews.

I am an abstract artist and I find incredible inspiration from the rocks and sea around Phillip Island. I am very drawn to the changing colours of the sea and the beautiful colours of the red rocks and natural diversity of the island which often tend to end up being the main subjects for my art. I have a real passion for colour and enjoy experimenting with the use of different colour combinations to create my work.

My works are totally intuitive and I pour all my energy, passion and emotion into each unique piece I create. My works are mainly acrylic with some mixed media of charcoal and pastel and I adore painting on big canvases.

My artistic Journey originally saw me working with oils creating contemporary seascapes but as my art evolved I found myself wanting to really let go and create from within. I love being able to create from something as simple as a mark on paper or a thought and let the canvas tell me what it wants.

Lately I’ve found myself going a bit wild with my brushstrokes as the crazy madness of creating takes over. My passion is colour and I love experimenting with different colour palettes which keeps my works interesting and exciting. I truely am on a journey of exploration with my work.

Carolyne Jane Q&A

What inspires your work – are there particular themes, emotions or moments in life you  are drawn to?  

The Australian Landscape is my greatest source of inspiration It is the colour that really captivates me. I truely love the diversity of this country from the burnt red orange rust tones of the outback, the lush greens and yellows of the countryside or the fabulous ever changing blues of the ocean. It’s like a smorgasbord tempting me like an all you can eat buffet as there is just so much to create and get inspiration from and I find myself constantly energised by its diversity. There’s always something new to capture and interpret in my own way

 You describe your work as intuitive and emotional—how do you go about creating it?

My work is deeply intuitive and always comes from the heart. I’m often inspired by the natural world, especially the sensory experiences of sight and sound. The colours I absorb from nature seem to burn into my mind, and the emotions and sounds around me help shape the energy of each piece. I often describe my creative process as solving a jigsaw puzzle and it’s thrilling to find what fits, whether it’s a scribble or a colour mixed straight onto the canvas. Each element finds its place, and I work instinctively, allowing the painting to evolve organically as I go.

 Colour is a big part of your work, how do you choose your palettes, and do they change as you paint?

I didn’t realise how strong my connection to colour was until I started painting and it has become such a vital part of my process. I seem to have an instinctive sense of what works, and often my colour palettes evolve naturally as I go. I rarely plan them in advance. Usually, I begin with one colour that calls to me, and from there it grows into a palette that fits the mood and energy of the work. I love creating new combinations each time I pain and it keeps the process alive and full of discovery.

 Are there any travel destinations that you think might influence future works?

Absolutely—many times! I often start a painting with no fixed idea of the outcome. As I work, the canvas begins to speak to me, guiding me in unexpected ways. I try to follow that flow rather than force it in a certain direction. Sometimes I’ll step back and think, “Something’s not quite right,” so I’ll leave it overnight—or even for a few days—and come back with fresh eyes. One of my favourite techniques is painting over an older piece. I love the way underlying layers and textures peek through, adding depth and richness to the final work. Those moments of surprise are often the most rewarding.

 Are there any artists or artistic movements that have influenced your work?

I have a deep appreciation for Australian artists. Even after travelling widely and seeing extraordinary art from around the world, I always come back to the raw beauty and boldness of Australian art. Two of my earliest and strongest influences were Fred Williams and John Olsen. Their work had a profound impact on me, especially in their interpretations of landscape and abstraction. They helped shape my own love for expressing the land in my own unique way.

 How do you bring that sense of movement and freedom into your brushstrokes?

For me, painting is about surrendering to the moment and letting go of overthinking and allowing emotion to take the lead. When I pick up a brush, it’s like something shifts inside me. My head quiets, and my heart guides the way. I feel a deep sense of freedom, especially with those first bold, confident strokes as they carry so much energy. I often think of myself as an explorer. One of my favourite parts of the process is adding my signature scribbles—that’s when the wildness kicks in. It’s spontaneous, unpredictable, and I think that’s what keeps the work alive and fresh.

 What do you hope people feel or experience when they see your art?

First and foremost, I want people to feel a connection - that moment where something in the work resonates with them. I hope they feel joy, energy, and curiosity. I want them to sense the emotion and movement in the piece, and maybe even be transported to the places that inspired it. If a painting can spark happiness or wonder, or make someone feel just a little more alive, then I feel like I’ve created the right piece.

 What’s a piece you’ve created that feels like a true reflection of who you are, and why?

I feel deeply connected to my latest After the Fires series inspired by the Grampians. One painting in particular—Love – After the Fires feels like a true reflection of who I am right now as an artist. It’s an abstract work that captures the tender, emotional aftermath of a bushfire, using a palette of soft blush pinks, rust, ochres, charred blacks, and deep earthy browns. These colours speak to both destruction and regeneration. Like nature, we all go through cycles of devastation and healing and none of us are immune to this. This painting is about resilience and hope—how from the ashes, something beautiful and meaningful can emerge.

 When you aren’t creating art, how do you like to spend your time?

Art plays a huge role in my life, even outside of painting. I volunteer on a contemporary arts committee, where we organise and curate a major four-week exhibition every year, featuring incredible work from artists based in regional Victoria and Melbourne. It’s a big undertaking, but one I find incredibly rewarding. I also love to travel and make sure I take time each year to do just that. Those experiences always feed back into my creative life and seem to grow me even more as an artist when I get back in front of the easel after being away for so long.