“Simple Marvelous” - Curated Collective Designer Lisa Oxley

 

 Quote Focus “It’s often the simple that creates the marvelous” serves as the central affirmation.

   •   The theme is reflective and romantic, celebrating simplicity, beauty, and quiet strength through subtle vintage tones and delicate elements.

Focal Image

   •   A softly illustrated vintage-style girl, hand-painted with delicate shading and muted flesh tones.

   •   Her expression is wistful and observant, gazing outward, drawing the viewer into the page emotionally.

   •   She’s positioned slightly off-center, creating natural visual movement toward the butterflies and quote.

Colour Palette

   •   Dominant hues: Cobalt blue, ink black, creamy ivory, and soft peach tones.

   •   Accent shades include butterfly teal, violet, and sepia—evoking a rich antique and nature-inspired aesthetic.

   •   Pops of shimmer in the butterfly wings and botanical layers offer dimension and contrast.

Elements

   •   Butterflies: Four different butterflies are layered around the girl—symbolizing transformation, fragility, and freedom.

      •   They’re collaged using printed ephemera or fussy cuts, possibly hand-detailed with shimmer accents.

   •   Botanicals: Soft, translucent wildflowers blend behind her shoulder and in the top corners.

   •   Background Texture:

      •   Layers of stenciled or stamped alphanumeric text (Roman numerals, codes) in grunge black.

      •   Faded damask/floral stencil appears in the top right—providing a vintage baroque flair.

      •   Black dot borders, ink smudges, and painterly brush strokes (especially the deep cobalt) layer behind the figure for depth.

   •   Textural Border Strip: A dark ornamental strip runs horizontally across the top third of the page, resembling wrought iron or laser-cut lace—adds visual grounding.

   •   Blended Mediums:

      •   Likely includes gesso, acrylic paint, stamping, stenciling, and collage.

      •   The layering suggests use of gel matte medium or similar adhesive for ephemera elements.

Layout Composition

   •   Visual Triangulation:

      •   Girl’s gaze pulls attention across the page.

      •   Butterflies form a visual triangle, framing the central portrait and enhancing movement.

      •   The quote grounds the eye in the lower third, acting as a visual “anchor.”

   •   Balance: While the right side holds more visual weight with the large portrait and butterflies, the stenciled numerals and florals on the left maintain equilibrium.

Emotional Tone

   •   Gentle, introspective, hopeful.

   •   Suggests a journey of self-acceptance, healing, and recognizing beauty in simplicity.