At Fenton & Fenton, we love celebrating artists whose work captures the spirit of living a Life Less Ordinary. For our latest Ola Mexicola collection, we’ve partnered with a series of artists, including Sydney-based abstract artist Marnie Ross, whose bold, layered paintings channel the ever-changing beauty of the natural world.
Marnie’s practice is a dance between observation and expression, distilling light, colour, and movement into compositions that feel both graphic and deeply emotive. Here, she shares more about her journey, her philosophy, and the role of colour in her art.
Can you tell us a little about your background and how you came to be an artist?
I originally trained as a graphic designer before completing a Masters in Art at UNSW in 2010, which marked my transition into fine art. My design background has definitely shaped my aesthetic, and my time studying printmaking has influenced the way I apply paint. Layering techniques and the activation of surfaces are central to my process, and I see echoes of printmaking in the way I build depth and texture on canvas.
How would you describe your artistic style or philosophy?
For me, it’s about pausing, observing, and capturing a moment. My work focuses on nature’s ever-changing designs, those created by light, movement, and time. I translate these impressions into graphic, multi-layered compositions that invite viewers to see the beauty in what might otherwise pass by unnoticed.
How did the Ola Mexicola brief and its Mexican influences inspire your work?
I was immediately drawn to the festive colour palette of the Ola Mexicola brief. As I worked through my ideas, my forms evolved around the rose motif, which is such a strong and joyful element in Mexican design. It gave me a new way to explore vibrancy and playfulness while still staying true to my process.
What role does colour play in your work, and how do you decide on your palettes?
Colour is at the heart of everything I do. In recent years, my immersion in the Australian landscape has deeply informed my palette – bush paths, rural vistas, and valleys, all seen under shifting light throughout the day. I reduce these landscapes into minimal abstractions that focus attention on colour relationships and tonal balance.
I’m always looking to create a dialogue between soft, dusky tones and bold, saturated hues. Thin, frosty glazes contrast with solid layers, while the textures of raw linen or timber beneath add further depth. The result is a sense of movement and harmony, just like the natural rhythms that inspire me.
Marnie’s vibrant abstractions embody the joy and colour at the heart of Ola Mexicola. Her work captures those fleeting natural rhythms and translates them into compositions that feel alive, much like the collection itself.
Explore the Ola Mexicola Art Series and discover Marnie’s exclusive works, created in celebration of this new collection.
