Art is my sanctuary
Artist's Statement
The primary purpose of my art is to explore the power of imagination and creativity for holistic healing. The primary intent is to stimulate spiritual curiosity, wonder and delight. Art is my sanctuary. I am a multidisciplinary artist. Painting, ceramics and photography are good mediums for my holistic focus. With them I explore facets of natural beauty and sensuality, often centering women, sometimes myself, with flora, fauna or animals. The work is part spiritual offering; revering the Natural Feminine and part healing practice. Some of my themes advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and some for the protection of Nature often drawing a connection between the two.
I am passionate about ecology and wildlife. An aspect of my work rooted in ecofeminism, specifically aims to promote understanding of environmental science and sustainability, express human connection within and to the natural world and create immersive art experiences to educate and inspire guardianship. Human-animal hybrids often find a home in the mythology of my work in homage to land-based spirituality.
Embedding human forms into flora, fauna and forest scapes speaks to this connection. Placing myself in my work adds a facet of self-reflection and allows me to explore the nature of my own femininity. By authoring the empowered Feminine narrative as a vibrant and fecund force of nature, I am reclaiming the damaged parts of myself, replacing pain with beauty, despair with hope.
I created Gaia Tree Arts Studio in coastal Mendocino as an art refuge. It also serves as an immersive art experience for visitors who can stay for retreats. Fostering personal, social and environmental wellbeing is at the root of my art in whatever medium I use.
Process
I like the feeling of wonderment that creating art can bring and also invoke in the viewer. When the artwork leads, I am less in control and more in a receptive state which is healing for my mind. It becomes an intuitive dialogue of emotional response using a different part of the brain. I find mysteries appear and forms reveal for me to emphasize with my personal aesthetic. Art making in this way becomes a rejuvenating spiritual practice by encouraging a flow state in the artistic process. Teaching others this process is part of my art-wellness offering.
Benefits of an Art Practice
An intentional art practice can change your reality.
It can help to flow loving intention to all areas of your life.
Heal trauma, relieve stress, create a sense of purpose, feel connection, explore spirituality, invite playfulness, experiment, discover, nourish the inner child.
Clink the links below to start your art wellness practice
Art Flowing Life - warm up exercises
https://youtu.be/edBBcz9j-5w
https://youtu.be/4RkAinlqrck
https://youtu.be/RQs7eVZf1nk
Dive
Deeper...
Art and Science
Studies are showing how art making and cultural engagement
is beneficial for recovery and overcoming mental health challenges.
https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/art-and-the-brain/
"The blood flow increased for a beautiful painting just as it increases when you look at somebody you love. It tells us art induces a feel good sensation direct to the brain."
– Professor Semir Zeki, chair in neuroaesthetics at University College London
My Art Practice
I create art commercially and for personal wellbeing. People often ask me what my medium is. I have to say I am an artidexterous, multidisciplinary artist (mouthful though that is) as the list of mediums is long; tattooing, jewelry making, clothing design, printmaking, illustration, coloring books. painting, ceramics, sculpture, collaging, digital new media and photography, modeling, web and graphic design, board game development.
Journeys
Originally from Europe, my American adventure started in 2000.
After several years on the East Coast and gaining a diploma in massage therapy, I explored life in spiritual places, developing my offering of holistic therapies and creative practice in Sedona, AZ and Tulum, Mexico.
Arriving in California in 2012, I have focused on higher education and entrepreneurship. The remote and beautiful Mendocino coast in Northern California called me to continue my spiritual and creative practice for self-healing and growth where I was able to create a live/work art studio called Gaia Tree Studio,
It also serves as an art filled getaway for folks visiting the area.
Sharing The Medicine
My goals are;
to facilitate art wellness practices for others
to research the therapeutic effects of ceramics
to become proficient at visually communicating important environmental and scientific issues
to support and expand the crucial art of ecofeminism through education and focused art making
Thank you for your interest and support.
Gaiagyrl
CV
Academics
Pending BA Studio Art and Environmental Studies Humboldt State University, CA
2018 - 2021 Ceramics Mendocino College CA
2016 - 2018 Certificate in Web Design and Digital Imaging Berkeley City College, CA
2002 - 2004 Diploma in Massage Therapy Groton, CT
1997 - 1999 Loughborough Art School Loughborough,UK
1992 - 1996 Stamford High School Art Student Awards, Stamford, UK
Member of
National Society of Leadership
Phi Theta Kappa
Professional Art Experience
Commercial
Illustration/ Graphic Design/ Website
2006 - present
Logos, posters, brochures, novel illustration, websites,
Art and Craft Fairs
2014 - 2017 California; San Diego, Bay Area, Mendocino
Jewelry, clothing, silk painting, pet portraits
Tattoo Artist
2010- 2012 Vortex Ink, Sedona AZ
Interior Decorating
2000 - 2002 Connecticut, UK
High end house painting and special finishes.
Commissions
Painting; Portraits Pet & People, Murals
2018 Berkeley, CA - Assistant to Juana Alicia, Street community mural
2017 Redwood Valley, Santa Rosa, San Diego - Pet Portraits
2016 London, UK - Private Mural
2016 Mendocino, CA - Pet Portraits/Commissions
2015 Berkeley, CA - Pet Portraits
2014 Hull, UK - Pet Portraits
2011 Sedona, AZ - Collaborative Mural
2010 London, UK - Baby portrait
2007 Page Springs Sanctuary, AZ - Retreat/community mural
2005 Yorkshire UK - Family Portraits
2002-4 New London, CT - Pet Portraits
2001 Bradford, UK - Pet Portrait
2000 Brooklyn, NY - Commission
1998 Baston, UK - Mural
Venues
2021 Gaia Tree Studio Fort Bragg, CA
2019 Noyo Center for Marine Science Fort Bragg CA
2019 Icons Mendocino Village CA
2018 David’s Cafe, Fort Bragg CA
2018 First Friday Art Walk
2017 Berkeley Massage and Acupressure CA
2016 Leilas Cafe Berkeley CA
Art Shows
2019 Mendocino Artist Co-op, CA Project Gayatree collaboration
2019 Mendocino Art Center, CA Juried Exhibition
2018 Gualala Salon de Refuses, CA Cash Award for #3 9 Graces
2009 Solo show at The Temple Sedona, AZ
2004 Wolf Sanctuary Fundraiser New London, CT
Curation
2019 Art and Craft fundraiser at Caspar Community Center, CA
2018 Gaia Tree Studio hosted “Project Gayatree “ collaboration
2018 First Friday Art Walk Fort Bragg, CA
Personal Art Projects
Present Foramina Illuminated - Building social bridges with art and science focused on environmental justice
Present Garden Gaias - Sculptural ceramic water vessels for sustainable gardening practices
Present Art Flowing Life - Art Wellness video tutorials
2019 Gaia Tree Studio Sunday Sessions - community Art Wellness Facilitator
2019 - Present Digital prints
2018 - Present Gaia Tree Arts Eco Apparel
2007 - 2009 Art Wellness Retreats, Page Springs Sanctuary, AZ
Coloring Books
2019 California Coast Coloring Book
2017 A-Z of Animal naps
2010 Javalina Trail
Other
2017 - present Mendocinoheart.com - Online Artist Marketplace - web, graphic design, social media analytics
2008 - 2009 Temple Quest - Holistic Board Game - graphic design, R&D Collaborations
2019 One of 120 artists participated in a multifaceted sculptural installation in the Tokyo
Metropolitan Art Museum as part of the 5th, “CROSSCURENT” show. The sculpture is titled “ALONE” invited by Alan Chin and curated by Yasunari Nakagomi and Lydia Takashita
2018 GayaTree Multimedia Fine Art Fort Bragg, CA
2013 Burning Man, Art Project support crew
2011Vortex Ink Murals, Sedona AZ
Teaching
Personal art instructor
Massage and Spa trainer
Workshops Taken
2019 Ceramic Sculpture with Beth Cavener, Volcano Arts Center, HI
2019 Cob Building, Oregon
2018 Glass sculpture, Mendocino Arts Center
2015 Airbrushing, Personal instruction, Berkeley
2005 TEFL teaching English as a foreign language
Other Professional Experience and skills
2004 - Present Healing Arts Practitioner: Self-Employed, Independent Contractor, Employee at; spas, retreat centers, chiropractic offices. Additional skills : PR, accounting, inventory, designing and training of spa services, website building, professional customer service.
2017 - Present AirBnB Host: Active management of Gaia Tree Arts Studio for guest retreats including; maintenance and cleaning, accounting, customer service.
2010 - 2012 Co-owner Tattoo Studio: Active management of Vortex Ink, appointments scheduling, payment processing, PR, tattoo services, hygiene management.
2007 - 2009 Retreat Center Manager: HR, PR, accounting, inventory, designing and training of spa services, website building, professional customer service. Project and property management.
1992 - 2006 Service Industry: Professional customer service, food and hygiene training and certification, time management, multi-tasking, payment processing.
Volunteer
People:
“Check It’ - Consent Club HSU
Rape and Crisis Hotline
Guidance Counsellor
Fundraising for Safe Passage non-profit for domestic violence survivors
Animals:
Elephant Sanctuary Phuket Thailand
Humane Society Dog walker/trainer
Horse care and training
Interests and Hobbies
Art Museums, Art History, New Media, (3D mapping, AR) The education of environmental science through art and technology, creating tangible solutions to environmental and social issues through art and technology, research and the study of art for social and personal healing, psychology, philosophy, healing arts, art wellness, art therapy. gardening, nutrition, herbalism, naturalist and environmental studies including animal conservation, oceanography, ecofeminist art, ecological art, land-based art, land-based spirituality, sustainability, bioplastics, 3D printing.
International Travel for art and cultural education, language immersion
2019 UK, Thailand, India, Cambodia, Japan - Volunteering, art museums/history 2018 Mexico, Belize, Guatemala - language immersion
2018 Iceland, Germany, Denmark, UK, Cuba - Art museums
2017 France, Portugal, Spain - Spanish/French language immersion
2010 Mexico 1 year of art sabbatical and Spanish language immersion
2006 Hawaii - Massage CEUs
2000 America NYC - Art museums
1999/2000 Canary Islands - Spanish language immersion
1999 France, Spain, Italy, Greece - Art history
Recommendations
Evan Hobart
Former Ceramics Instructor Mendocino College
PO Box 326
San Geronimo, CA. 94963
415-342-4138 evanhobart@gmail.com
Dave Woody
Instructor
Art Department HSU
Dave.Woody@humboldt.edu
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