ONGOING PROJECTS
AFFINITY: similarity of characteristics suggesting a relationship, especially a resemblance in structure.
Art Books
Several years ago, at the CODEX Book Art Fair & Symposium I was impressed by a book created by Amandine Nabarra, fine artist and creative bookmaker. Not only was it creative, but the texture and feel of the book were unique—soft, sensual, and translucent in a way that begged for ideas. I later kicked myself for not asking Amandine about the medium and process, but knowing that it was a liquid polymer clay photo transfer, I figured that when back home I could learn about it, like everything else, on Google. To my surprise, I could find nothing. However, I sent away for some polymer clay, and after days of experimenting, things began to take shape. Sometimes, solving the puzzle becomes the reward. So far, I have created two unusual art books, Affinities (shown here) and Mirrors. There is a third in the ideation stage that will complete a triad of books.
On Becoming an Art Monk…
Earlier this year I took on the 30 Day Art Challenge offered by Suiko McCall at Art Monastery — for a much needed kick start to my art practice. This called for commitment to a simple daily practice that takes just 12 minutes—two minutes of centering/meditation and ten minutes of freeform art. Who can talk themselves out of just 10 minutes of play? My plan was to choose 2 to 4 random images in Photoshop from my extensive image library. And within 10 minutes (no more!) explore what combinatory images would appear by layering and blending them together. This is one example of my work from this unexpected process.
Thank you @suikoart for turning me on to this practice 🙏
This sequence, Sacred Window, was created from 4 images, layered, blended and finessed in Photoshop.
More posted on Instagram.
Calling in Naomi
The Sophie Davis Art Gallery at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology in Los Angeles—an exhibition space that celebrates older artists—invited me to exhibit a body of work, Through the Looking Glass.
As I thought about representing the “elder” set, I began wrestling with complex emotions surrounding aging and its impact on our relationships. My thoughts inevitably turned to my grandmother Naomi. These composited images are the result. (read more about her story here)
STONE
During Covid I completed this short animation that I had conceived of years ago while exploring geometric shapes and mandala imagery. This is a tribute to the many stories held in stone, bones of the earth, and to poet Charles Simic (1938-2023) who wrote one of my very favorite poems, Stone.
My challenge as a photographic artist is to explore and unpack the meaning of beauty and its role as catalyst — growing our capacity to imagine, inspire, create and love the world around us in all its forms. A momentary encounter with beauty has the potential to change your day. An ongoing conversation with beauty, especially in the natural world has the power to change your life. — Gail