Meet Edwina Ethridge-William's
Edwina Ethridge-Williams is a Sydney-based artist whose work celebrates colour, joy, and the emotional resonance of everyday beauty. With a background in photography and a professional career spanning luxury travel and production in the UK, Edwina returned to her artistic roots during the quiet of the pandemic, rediscovering her love for drawing and painting. Her practice now centres on figurative expression, vibrant palettes, and a deep connection to nature and the world around her.
For the Ola Mexicola Art Series, Edwina was inspired by the bold hues, cultural richness, and sensory vibrancy of Mexico. Anchored in her love of colour, her works channel warmth, calm, and a joyful sense of place, evoking sunny coastlines, tropical tones, and the charm of a summer escape.
We spoke with Edwina about her creative journey, the power of colour, and how she hopes her work brings life and energy into the homes of others.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to be an artist?
I’ve been an artist since I was a child — drawing and creating was always my favourite hobby, something that felt completely instinctive. I studied at the National Art School in Sydney before transferring to UNSW, where I completed a BFA in photography. I always wanted to paint, but I think at the time I saw photography as the more practical path. I went on to work as a producer and spent over a decade in luxury travel marketing in the UK. It wasn’t until Covid, when I picked up a box of pastels, that I remembered how much I loved making art. After moving back to Australia last year, I decided to fully commit to my painting practice and pursue art as a full-time career.
How would you describe your artistic style or philosophy?
I would describe my artistic style as very broad. I am intrigued by lots of artistic movements and I really enjoy exploring and trying different ways of working. In saying that, I really love colour and figurative painting, so I would say those are anchors for me.
What inspires your creative process day-to-day?
I see creativity as a way of life, it’s not something you can switch on or off. Since I’ve been painting more consistently, I find myself even more attuned to the world around me. Inspiration can come from anywhere: a photograph, a book, the colour of a wall, or even seashells collected from the beach that find their way into my palette. I’m always looking to nature for reference. Cooking, films, and reading also play a big role in feeding my creative process, all of it becomes part of the work.
How did the Ola Mexicola brief and its Mexican influences inspire your work?
I’m drawn to the bright colours and flavours of Mexico. It feels like a country with a really strong cultural identity, and I think that’s come through in the bold hues I’ve used in my work. Hot pink, especially, is a colour I associate with Mexico, and I brought that into my Bathers painting.
What story or mood do you hope your work brings to this collection?
I hope my work inspires a sense of calm and peace. I create art to bring joy into spaces, and I love the idea of adding vibrancy and colour to a room. It really excites me to think about where my paintings end up and the energy they might bring to those spaces.
What role does colour play in your work, and how do you decide on your palettes?
Colour is the backbone of my work and really leads the way in how a piece comes together. I often like to work with a limited palette — I think it brings out the best harmonies. You can create so many hues from just a few primaries. That said, I also enjoy playing with colour straight from the tube. I usually start with a couple of anchor colours and build from there. Nature is often a source for my palettes, as are photos, fabrics, or simply mixing paint and seeing what happens. Colour shifts depending on what it sits next to, so there’s always a bit of surprise in how things turn out.
Where do you imagine your Ola Mexicola piece living - in what kind of space or setting?
I imagine these pieces living in homes with beachy vibes. After living in the UK for so long, Australia seems so colourful, vibrant, coastal and chic. I feel like there is a real design renaissance happening here and it feels that people are very proud of their homes and want to fill them with beautiful objects.
How do you hope people will feel when they live with your artwork?
I want people to feel alive when they see my work, hopefully giving them a jolt of energy and maybe make them stop for a few moments and appreciate the beauty in the world.
If you could spend a day in Mexico, where would you go and why?
I would really love to go to a boutique eco hotel in the mountains of Oaxaca, Refuge Terraza de la Tierra. I think this would be an amazing place to paint outside. I also would love to spend a day at Elizabeth Taylor's former home in Puerto Vallarta.
Name three words that sum up the feeling of Ola Mexicola for you.
Magenta, warm, citrus.
Explore the Ola Mexicola Art Series and discover Edwina’s exclusive works, created in celebration of this new collection.
Explore Edwina-William's Collection
Explore Ola Mexicola Collection
