Voilà! Finished the final watercolor! I really had fun with this one—I love drawing glamorous city scenes! Thanks Whole Life Times magazine! This illustration will appear in the August issue, which will be out very soon. Go to wholelifemagazine.com to find out more, or click HERE for locations in your area if you live in Los Angeles.
-G
I’ve been asked about my illustration process on several occasions, so I decided to write a post showing how I work from sketches to finished art. For this latest illustration job, I submitted several sketched concepts to the magazine. From there I moved into full color-planning mode, completing several color studies using the above limited color palette. I’ll be using just blues, greens, and purples this time around, with some pinks as highlights and accents. Haven’t decided yet if pink will be the only highlight color, or if I’ll add a golden yellow as well…
Next I transferred my approved sketch to watercolor paper and began painting it, starting with the lightest shades first…
I’m currently working on an illustration for Whole Life Times Magazine illustrating an article about healing sessions taking place around Los Angeles that begin with cocktails! It’s been such a fun assignment, getting to draw sophisticated socialites that can float cocktails in the air, have third eyes, and will have glowing auras once I add color! —G
Watercolor on Paper
Inspirations: Beijing, The Forbidden City, imperial gold and red, Chinese art, dragons
This is a new illustration I just did for Pepperdine University. They were looking for an Art Deco-inspired image to carry though a graphic identity package for a professional development course. I came up with this concept of an abstract locomotion, symbolizing progress while using motion to hint at forward-thinking ideals.
The image is overlaid with train symbology—from the train tracks horizontally crossing the center of the illustration, to the puff of steam in the top left corner, as well as the circle shapes (indicative of old train cars viewed head-on), and the beams scattered throughout—geometrically suggesting headlights and rail tracks.
I was striving for an energized, spirited vibe with this illustration, and also ended up graphically incorporating a stained-glass feel that ties in with the iconic stained glass chapel windows set above the ocean on campus.
Watercolor on Paper
“Now I have
been slightly shy
and I can smell a pinch of hope
to almost have allowed once fingers
to stroke
the fingers I was given to touch with
but careful, careful
there lies my passion, hidden
there lies my love
I’ll hide it under a blanket
lull it to sleepI’ll keep it in a hidden place
Keep it in a hidden place…”
—Björk
I made it to The Great Wall of China!!!!! Avoided the massive tourist crowds by trekking out to one of the further sections of the wall at Mutianyu 慕田峪, which is one of the best-preserved, and oldest parts of the wall. There was a brief rainstorm, and the whole place cleared out completely. Hiked all the way to the top of the mountain, past old watchtowers and right through the rain. Can’t believe I finally made it here!!!
My Iceland Abstracted paintings at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
This years art exhibit was a big success! Got to show a collection of my watercolors from Iceland, along with the poems they were based on. It was my first time exhibiting poetry, which was a little intimidating, but the outcome was extremely rewarding! Keep your eyes peeled for my book with the full collection of my Iceland Abstracted paintings and poems, coming out later this year. Much thanks to all those who made the trip out to Malibu!! -Gayle
with Tyson—the phenomenal artist and writer.
with Joe Piasentin—a truly amazing artist.
The Reception!
This year I’m exhibiting 15 watercolor paintings along with the poems they were based on. The paintings were chosen from a collection of about 35 watercolors from my Iceland Abstracted series which encompasses poetry and painting. The work was done mostly in the field in moleskine journals—on location in Iceland. If you have the chance, come on out to the museum!
Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art
Pepperdine University
24255 Pacific Coast Hwy
Malibu, CA 90263
arts.pepperdine.edu/museum
Exhibit Hours:
11:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Tuesday May 4 through Friday May 7
11:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Saturday May 8 and Sunday May 9
11:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Tuesday May 11 through Saturday May 15
Closed Mondays. There is no admission charge.
Reception to Meet the Artists: Thursday May 6, 12:00-1:30p.m.
