"5 in 5" with Louise Vadasz

Five Questions. Five Minutes.

5 in 5 invites artists to answer five questions in just five minutes, an insightful snapshot into their process, inspirations, and life as an artist.

Your expressive paintings of florals suggest stillness and quiet attention. What kind of experience do you hope viewers have when they spend time with your paintings?

Though my paintings may appear still, they are fuelled by an energetic celebration of life and colour. I create them with the hope that they bring a lasting sense of happiness and wonder to the viewer.

Louise as a child at Willunga, always with a posy in her hands, image provided by the artist.

What role does colour play for you in expressing mood or memory in your floral paintings?

My mood is very important when it comes to my work. If I’m not in a painting mood i.e. no energy, sad, tired, I don’t push myself to paint if I’m not feeling inspired. I really need to be in the grip of inspiration and totally involved in what I’m doing. I will not push through just for the sake of producing. I wait till I’m in the zone.

Louise as a child at Willunga, always with a posy in her hands, image provided by the artist. 

Do memories, places, or moments influence the flowers you choose to paint?

For me, every bloom, textile and vessel tells a story. It’s a love I inherited from my mother. We often spent countless hours discussing this together. I think this connection really began in the gardens I grew up in as a child.

 Busy bee cup and "the Rhodies are out" doily, images supplied by the artist

What part of making art do you find most rewarding?

The most rewarding aspect of my creative process is my time in the studio. I love the challenge of translating a mental image and a still life set up onto the canvas. When I’m in this zone it is truly immersive and hours can pass very quickly! This is also the case when working outside on a landscape. You must paint very immediately as the outdoor conditions can be extreme in the elements.

What keeps you motivated to continue making art?

My process starts with an image in my mind that may stay there for days before I can get into my studio. My motivation comes from always trying to improve each painting from the previous one to the next idea or image.

>>>View Louise Vadasz artworks here

>>>More about Louise Vadasz 2026 Exhibition "Sentimental Values"