Hello everyone!
I hope this finds you all well. I’m so relieved to finally feel like myself after three weeks of a terrible cold that turned into pneumonia and kept me laid low for three weeks! I was determined to be well by Jan 21 when TNY exhibition at L'Alliance in New York opened. Oh what a special night it was! It began at 3pm with Francoise Mouly the AD and curator giving a tour to the people who work at L'Alliance. Such fun to hear her talk about the art and process of creating covers! I reconnected with friends I’d not seen since before the pandemic and met so many artists whose work I admire. To be in the company of legends like Barry Blitt, Kadir Nelson, Mark Ulriksen, Roz Chast ( my art was right next to hers! She is SO nice :), and many others…and to be part of this smallish group of artists who have have their art on the cover of the New Yorker is truly an honor. You can see more about the exhibition HERE. It’s up until March 30.
Being in NYC Jan 20 & 21 kept me distracted from the news, which I am still trying to keep on low consumption. I don’t even know what to say except that I know making art and keeping a sketchbook will help keep me steady and sane no matter how insane the politics of our country get.
My workshop June 27 & 28 has just one spot left. I am considering doing another one Aug. 23 & 24 and wanted to gage interest. If you’d be interested in coming to my place in Massachusetts at the end of August to draw and paint with me for the weekend could you let me know by responding to this email with a ‘Yes I’d be interested in an August workshop.’ No commitment, it’ll just give me the information I need to decide if I offer the workshop or not. Thank you!
I am headed to San Miguel Allende, Mexico to paint for a week with seven of my artist pals.
Lori Seiber, Mokshini & Maru Godas. We went to Oaxaca last winter and to say it was an inspiring week is a major understatement. Whenever I saw an inspiring scene or great light I loved having so many willing ‘models!’ I found I was most inspired to paint portraits of the other artists. Here’s a few of my favorites. That’s in the bucket hat. She was standing in the kitchen in the early morning as some of us were about to head out looking for sunrise light. The light hitting her was gorgeous. Below is Mokshini, when we went to Hierve el Agua.
Between being sick and assignment work I’ve had very little time to paint for myself, so I am very excited to have two weeks to draw and paint with friends. I’m staying on my own after everyone leaves as I find that my solo time when I am away is when I really hunker down with no distractions to paint.
I love getting photos from clients after they’ve hung their paintings. This was was a big one for me! Literally. Way bigger than I usually paint. An intimidating challenge! My goal is to paint bigger in general.
And the universe seems to be supporting this plan! Twelve years ago after the kids had all left the nest, I moved my studio into the house and we turned my studio that was in another building near the house into a one bedroom rental apartment. We’ve had some wonderful tenants over the years, and have never had any problems renting it. After not one for two separate people paid first, last and a deposit then bailed, I decided the universe was telling me something. I’d been looking at larger studio spaces in town… and well, seems it was time for me to take my studio back! It is such a great feeling to be working again in this space that was my studio for 18 years! I’m still keeping my studio in the house, so this space will be for painting only. I have a nice big wall now, and no excuse to not paint bigger! My dog Charlie loves it too :)
I love creating one of a kind painted prints. Side Swimmer is one of my most popular prints and I was so happy to create this painted print for a client. I paint over an archival giclee print, changing things up a bit to make each one unique. Interested in a painted print? Please write me and we can discuss your options!
I love drawing from models on Zoom with my artist pals. This is what’s on my wall right now. I am thinking that I might re work some of these big! My plan is to put many of these small nudes for sale on my website. Who knows when this will actually happen, so if you’re interested in one, let me know! I can ship all over the world. We are currently packing up four originals to send to a client in Germany.
Be well, and as always, I love hearing from you.
XO
Gayle
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