"I Will Survive" 2011, Mixed Media on panel, 12"x 12" $150
Creatively, I've always been drawn to the iconic use of the familiar and the comfort that imagery brings. In my animal portraits, I use a play on their name or a behavior that is often only recognized by other family members. I like to paint them in their everyday environment but with all the grandeur they deserve.
My collages are inspired by taking naps on old quilts when I was very young. I remember being fascinated by the beauty of each piece of material and how they fit together. Each piece of paper I use is recognizable but put in a different context until they “fit”.
I’m a collector of bits and pieces in my life. I enjoy contradiction and irony. I’m interested in the small parts that make the whole. I collage friends, lifestyles, anecdotes and opinions. With these things too, I recognize the beauty of each piece. This keeps things interesting for me.
I have an obsession with sugar in all forms. Iced cupcakes hold a special place in my heart. I try to temper my fixation by painting them. My interest in sweets as subject matter comes from my love of the colors, designs, and flavors. I'm afraid painting them has only made my preoccupation worse.
I live, paint and eat cupcakes in Austin TX with 2 dogs, 1 cat and a mortgage. --Gretchen Gardner
My collages are inspired by taking naps on old quilts when I was very young. I remember being fascinated by the beauty of each piece of material and how they fit together. Each piece of paper I use is recognizable but put in a different context until they “fit”.
I’m a collector of bits and pieces in my life. I enjoy contradiction and irony. I’m interested in the small parts that make the whole. I collage friends, lifestyles, anecdotes and opinions. With these things too, I recognize the beauty of each piece. This keeps things interesting for me.
I have an obsession with sugar in all forms. Iced cupcakes hold a special place in my heart. I try to temper my fixation by painting them. My interest in sweets as subject matter comes from my love of the colors, designs, and flavors. I'm afraid painting them has only made my preoccupation worse.
I live, paint and eat cupcakes in Austin TX with 2 dogs, 1 cat and a mortgage. --Gretchen Gardner
