Welcome to
Gaia Tree Studio
Art making is my sanctuary.
Artist Statement
Clay centered artist with a pan discipline, life long practice.
During my BFA at Cal Poly Humboldt, ceramic sculpture became a primary medium. I have developed a passion for ceramics because of how I can experience and express a spiritual connection with the earth/clay and the creative forces of nature. I am mesmerized by the journey from raw state of clay to the finale of glaze fired, elementally alchemized form and transformed by hands. This process and the way I engage in it is an important aspect of my ceramics practice. Being able to let go and dance with the clay, crouching, standing, pushing and pulling strokes, like a massage moving energy, favors a larger scale.
Creating from a flow state is crucial to my work and intuitively dialoguing with each piece until my personal aesthetic is satisfied. Broadly, I think of my pieces as abstract imaginariums inspired by organicism. The loose but richly textured forms often spark the imagination of others, encouraging a freedom of thought. They become generative totems for ideas and emotions asking each viewer; What do you see? What do you feel? What is within?
Art Research
My on going research project is called Ocean INSIDE. The research seeks to understand how to use art centered experiences to evoke an emotional connection with the ocean for the purpose of conservation and furthering public understanding of marine and climate science. I have developed several bodies of ceramics work for the project such as Coralizing, Divers and Her Rising Tide. Divers is a submarinal theme inspired by recent experiences learning to scuba dive, cultivating an intimate relationship with the ocean as sacred place, exploring what it means to dive into the vast layers of self and the interconnected web of life.
Her Rising Tide centers in abstract figuration with oceanic textures and colors, expressing our connection to the ocean. The title comments on climate change and my exploration of ecofeminism. Coralizing is my focus in Hawaii with an aim of advocating for corals who require critical care at this time.
The scientific concept of The Gaia Theory also influences my interest in the intersection of science and spirituality.
Clay centered artist with a pan discipline, life long practice.
During my BFA at Cal Poly Humboldt, ceramic sculpture became a primary medium. I have developed a passion for ceramics because of how I can experience and express a spiritual connection with the earth/clay and the creative forces of nature. I am mesmerized by the journey from raw state of clay to the finale of glaze fired, elementally alchemized form and transformed by hands. This process and the way I engage in it is an important aspect of my ceramics practice. Being able to let go and dance with the clay, crouching, standing, pushing and pulling strokes, like a massage moving energy, favors a larger scale.
Creating from a flow state is crucial to my work and intuitively dialoguing with each piece until my personal aesthetic is satisfied. Broadly, I think of my pieces as abstract imaginariums inspired by organicism. The loose but richly textured forms often spark the imagination of others, encouraging a freedom of thought. They become generative totems for ideas and emotions asking each viewer; What do you see? What do you feel? What is within?
Art Research
My on going research project is called Ocean INSIDE. The research seeks to understand how to use art centered experiences to evoke an emotional connection with the ocean for the purpose of conservation and furthering public understanding of marine and climate science. I have developed several bodies of ceramics work for the project such as Coralizing, Divers and Her Rising Tide. Divers is a submarinal theme inspired by recent experiences learning to scuba dive, cultivating an intimate relationship with the ocean as sacred place, exploring what it means to dive into the vast layers of self and the interconnected web of life.
Her Rising Tide centers in abstract figuration with oceanic textures and colors, expressing our connection to the ocean. The title comments on climate change and my exploration of ecofeminism. Coralizing is my focus in Hawaii with an aim of advocating for corals who require critical care at this time.
The scientific concept of The Gaia Theory also influences my interest in the intersection of science and spirituality.
Art show snapshots
If you explore my galleries you will find a variety of painting, ceramics, photography, graphic design and digital art. They are all creative tools to explore different facets of my own nature including the abstract part of self. My artwork is part spiritual offering; revering the Natural Feminine and part healing practice.
I believe in the use of art for advocacy and with these themes I advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and for the protection of Nature often drawing a connection between the two.
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, especially the ocean and create immersive art experiences to educate and inspire guardianship.
In addition to my abstract work, I enjoy including human-animal hybrids 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.
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. All of them!
Just not all at once but sometimes together: 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.
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.
Journeys
Originally from Europe, (UK when it was part of 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 served as an art filled getaway for folks visiting the area.
Now I have the honor and privilige of completing an MFA at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Sharing The Medicine
My goals are;
to inspire and guide others with their art practice
to research the therapeutic effects of ceramics and art journaling
to become proficient at visually communicating important environmental and scientific issues with art
to support and expand the crucial message of ecofeminism through education and focused art making
to advocate for survivors of domestic violence
Thank you for your interest and support.
Gaiagyrl
If you explore my galleries you will find a variety of painting, ceramics, photography, graphic design and digital art. They are all creative tools to explore different facets of my own nature including the abstract part of self. My artwork is part spiritual offering; revering the Natural Feminine and part healing practice.
I believe in the use of art for advocacy and with these themes I advocate for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and for the protection of Nature often drawing a connection between the two.
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, especially the ocean and create immersive art experiences to educate and inspire guardianship.
In addition to my abstract work, I enjoy including human-animal hybrids 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.
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. All of them!
Just not all at once but sometimes together: 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.
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.
Journeys
Originally from Europe, (UK when it was part of 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 served as an art filled getaway for folks visiting the area.
Now I have the honor and privilige of completing an MFA at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Sharing The Medicine
My goals are;
to inspire and guide others with their art practice
to research the therapeutic effects of ceramics and art journaling
to become proficient at visually communicating important environmental and scientific issues with art
to support and expand the crucial message of ecofeminism through education and focused art making
to advocate for survivors of domestic violence
Thank you for your interest and support.
Gaiagyrl
