I Fell in Love

 I Fell in Love is a celebration of freedom, self-discovery and the quiet magic of becoming more fully yourself.

This body of work emerged from a period of profound change in my life, a time when I began to reconnect with parts of myself that had been waiting to be explored. In allowing myself to let go of expectations and follow what felt true, I discovered a renewed sense of freedom, adventure and joy.

I fell in love with the ocean, with salt on my skin and sand beneath my feet. With surfing, new experiences and a slower, more barefoot way of living. I fell in love with the feeling of being present in my own life. And somewhere amongst all of this, I fell in love with life, with another person, and perhaps most importantly, with the woman I was becoming.

That sense of warmth and freedom is woven throughout the collection. Soft powder blues, blush pinks, warm nudes and earthy browns create a palette that reflects the feeling of sunlight, skin, sand and ocean. The flowers become the feminine heroines of each work expressive, abundant and full of their own energy.

Thick layers of oil paint move across the canvas in sweeping, instinctive gestures. Some marks drift softly; others rise and gather with a quiet confidence. The paint is deliberately physical — built up, pulled across and left to reveal the movement of the hand. There is a sense of surrender within the process, of trusting instinct rather than trying to control where each work will go.

The result is a collection that feels intimate, sensual and alive.

At its heart, I Fell in Love is not simply about romantic love. It is about the many ways we can fall in love with life with freedom, adventure, motherhood, another person, and with ourselves.

It is about discovering that I was already there.

I simply had to let myself be free enough to find her.

Artist Statement

My practice is a mixed media style of photographic elements printed + embellished with impasto oil paint. An expression of my female floral muses moving through moments, feelings and emotions of this life.

Biography

Felicity Schrader’s artistic journey spans over 15 years of creative exploration in various fields including fashion, interiors, events, and floristry. Transitioning into the art world in 2020, she introduced her unique mixed media approach, blending floral photography with impasto oil paint strokes on stretched canvas.

With a decade of experience in floral design through her successful event business, Felicity’s artistic inspiration stems from the natural allure of flowers. Their distinctive bends, curves, textures, and colours serve as the focal point of her work, symbolising the fluidity of life’s moments, emotions, and experiences.

In her creations, Felicity captures attention through vibrant colours, dynamic strokes, and strategic use of negative space, guiding viewers on an immersive journey through her art. Each piece exudes movement and depth, forging a profound emotional connection between the observer and the artwork.

Exhibition History

2022 – “Her Reflections” exhibition, shown by artist in Melbourne.

2022 – “Summer Haze”, shown at TOAF in Sydney

2023 – “Up in the clouds” exhibition, shown at Compendium gallery in Melbourne.

2023 – “Artistic Dialogues” exhibition shown in collaboration with Mariam Seddiq in Sydney

2024 – Finalist in small scale art award by Lethbridge Gallery

2023 – Finalist in art award by Revival Gallery

2025 – “Untethered” exhibition shown at Gallery Alchemy in Milton, NSW