Gila Joy Pascale, German, Artist, Santa Fe, New Mexico,
Artist statement
Most of my works are abstract paintings with acrylics on canvas. But I also make small sculptures, experiment with mixed media and I create my own texture paste. Discovering a new composition the way it unfolds from deep within feels like an alchemical by-product of complete awareness.
What I love about this process of discovery is that ordinary mechanical acts like adding layers to a painting for example can be transformed into a state of bliss. Being creative this way is the best way of “meditating” that I know of.
When I enter the process of creating it is my intention to live my truth…and to uncover what is hidden even from myself. Being creative to me means having both the capacity to observe myself while creating and the capacity to completely lose myself in the process for a certain amount of time. Making art is a commitment to a personal and spiritual transformation for me. My hope is to take viewers on a journey and to share my path of discovery with them for a while.
Bio
Gila Joy Pascale CPC, (Certified Professional Coach), member of the Eldorado Art Association and member of the New Mexico Art Therapy Association.
She was born and raised in Germany. Gila Joy moved to New Mexico in 2009, after having traveled to many different countries. She is a retired licensed psychotherapist HP, certified life & executive coach, former social worker, self-taught artist and published poet in Germany. In her private practice she helped her clients heal from emotional or physical trauma. She used creative writing and working with colors as an important part of the art therapy offered to them.
Some of her art can be found in private collections in the United States, Canada and Germany.
In 2007 she won a poetry prize in Germany that lead to her first book, "The Words Find Me", (Die Worte Finden Mich) published by art & words. Gila Joy's poetry has been published in 5 other German anthologies, and in one of the finest lyric editions, the Edition L.
The offer:
Gila Joy is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico and offers:
One-on-one sessions and workshops
Painting for beginners and 'non-artists'
Life Coaching for artists who experience a creative block or other challenges
Creative support for cancer and stroke survivors or for those with PTSD or chronic illness
With her professional background in trauma therapy and her special approach she is an inspiration for all those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder. Her work involves experimenting with paint and other creative materials, as well as teaching Relaxation Methods for general well-being.
NEW! Panorama View! Visit my studio at: http://soaringshutter.com/gilajoyart/
For those who want to learn more about me:
Many of my art pieces are inspired by my ZEN experience and my longing for Simplicity & Beauty. I am fascinated by how extraordinary ordinary things are and I am fascinated by what is hidden in its ordinariness. I suddenly see ordinary things with different eyes. The motives come and go without announcing they are special. To me they are!
I recently read: "The deeper the silence, the deeper the speech." Most of my art work expresses an intentional silence and shows my immense gratitude for life itself.
My art is an invitation to look, to relax and to look again..........
The colors that I feel drawn to the most are vivid and bright. I believe they express my passion for life. While recuperating from an un-diagnosed illness that almost took my life I painted a lot. It was not about results to show, it was just about expressing myself. Period. I figured that distracting myself from my severe condition let me forget how fragile my life was and how vulnerable I felt. I painted on anything I found around the house. And suddenly a totally new world opened up for me.
I experimented with clay, wood, rusty pieces of metal, watercolor on paper towels, water- soluble crayons on card board boxes and acrylic on canvas or Chinese rice paper. In the end exploring the world of paint and brushes helped me leave the old behind and enter the new. It was like traveling and exploring different countries without actually leaving my house ...or the hospital in this case.
I am confident that painting helped me heal. It still does. I suffered from life threatening allergies and unfortunately the triggers were unknown, which made each and every day a very precious experience. More than anything else I know that life can be very short. I might not be able to travel the world often but I still can explore my innermost skies while painting.
If you look for consistency in my work you probably will not find it. There is too much to express, to explore and too much to experiment with. While talking about the pros and cons of consistency an artist friend of mine recently said: "The consistency through your work is YOU! I can see YOU in your work and that is important to me." And someone else added: "I am following your work BECAUSE there is not so much consistency. It's always a surprise what you come up with next. Your creative spirit is refreshing and inspiring for me." I am glad to hear that. Thank you folks!
By the way: I nowadays eat dessert first!
My Juried Exhibitions, Art Shows, and Studio Tours:
“Women’s Work”
Celebrating 25 New Mexico Women Artists
Women's Voices
Small Works
The El Dorado Spring Studio Tour... the biggest Art Show in New Mexico
(I feel grateful and honored that my orange signature painting "Resurrection" was chosen for all three posters)
(I feel grateful and honored that my orange signature painting "Resurrection" was chosen for all three posters)
My painting "Morocco" featured in a high-end Santa Fe magazine
- Eldorado Studio Tour 2016
- Eldorado Fall Art Show
- Eldorado Studio Tour 2017
- Eldorado Christmas Art Show
- Eldorado Studio Tour 2018
- Studio Artist at the Xanadu Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona
- (http://www.xanadugallery.com/2013/Artists/ArtistPage.php?ArtistID=8627)
- Featured by "The Santa Fe Arts Journal". (In The LimeLight) June/ July 2018
- Artist at the El Ortiz Gallery, Lamy, New Mexico
- Valentines “HeART”, group show at El Gancho Gallery Space
- “Winter Wonder Land”, group show at El Gancho Gallery Space
- Solo show with 20 paintings at the El Gancho Gallery Space, Santa Fe, NM
- Esperanza Art Show, Eldorado, NM