Coming from a long line of creative and crafty women (and a few men), Gayle grew up seeing and experiencing the joy that accompanied creativity and working with one’s hands.
Inspired by the creative textile crafts of her Grandmother, Mother and Aunt along with the craftmanship of her Father, Gayle continues her creative exploration in pottery and painting.
After graduating from Indiana University-Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, Gayle signed up for a pottery class at a local art center that changed her life forever. Pottery opened the doors to an entirely new mode of self-expression. One that would remain with her for decades.
In retirement, Gayle studied art and earned a Certificate of Fine Art. She maintains a daily studio practice.
I’m an artist whose art came to fruition late in life. I paint and create pottery as if I mulled the possibilities and processes over and over in my mind for decades even before putting the first stroke of paint down or sitting at the wheel for the first time.
As an empath that has struggled with the realities and harsh images of the world all my life, I was planning and creating a lens in which to view the world in a kinder, gentler way. This includes celebrating the beauty of the ordinary, of the everyday. Painting and pottery have allowed me the opportunity to immerse myself in slow, thoughtful processes that evolve over time and help keep the lure of immediate gratification at bay.
Having a background in corporate training and development, I was aware of the differences in individual learning styles. This awareness is what led me to art school in my late 50’s as I was facing retirement from the corporate world. I knew that the best way for me to learn the elements and principles of art was from working artists in an academic setting. It has set the stage for continuing my evolution and expression via art.
I generally start new work as pieces of a series that can stand alone or work together usually in groups of 2-3. Some develop and resolve quickly while others take much longer. I prefer working on large wood panels and frequently layer collage elements with layers of paint. The wood surface allows me to sand and repaint over and over creating a history from the layers beneath.
In my painting practice, many of the collage elements I use are related to memories. Currently, I am incorporating pages from a vintage cookbook that belonged to my mother. The cookbook and its tattered pages are covered in fingerprints and stains that bring up memories of my mother pouring over its pages. I also love creating a ground using handwritten notes and cards that set the stage for the painting to follow.
In both my painting and pottery practice, I tend to use earthy, desaturated colors. These colors help support and relay soothing, calming and contemplative art. My pottery almost always has a functional element, but I am gradually incorporating aesthetic elements that lend beauty to the functional.
My paintings are generally reduced landscapes, still lifes and abstracts. My watercolors are a series of greeting cards that I donate to organizations that have letter writing campaigns.