Vanessa’s work ranges across a variety of artistic genres, mainly working with the medium of oils, she explores still life, portraiture and sometimes landscape themes. Her work centres around ideas of home, domesticity and daily life, often portraying her subjects in what are universally familiar settings, connecting with the viewer on several levels. Vanessa is interested in the mundane and the beauty and meaning that can be found in its banality. Her use of strong, vibrant colours showcases the ordinary and celebrates their place in daily life. Vanessa gathers ideas from her immediate and surrounding environments. She works from life but also sometimes makes sketches and takes photographs to work further in the studio. Vanessa was recently awarded Second Prize in the Gosford Art Prize 2021 for her work ‘Crocheted Camouflage’ (Gosford Regional Art Gallery) and named the Winner of the SBS 2020 Portrait Prize for her work ‘Will (Reclining)’ with Southern Buoys Studios. Her works are in private collections across Australia, America, The UK, Europe and China.

Vanessa Encarnacao - Lemons and Eucalyptus Tetragona