Bold, Surprising Colours in Portraiture by Gayle Arnold

Gayle Arnold lists one of her favorite artists as Ben Reeves, so when I noticed the cigarettes in her portraiture I appreciated the subtle nod, intended or not. My favorite portrait on her site features red-hot colours and a glowing ember contrasted with sweeping, skilled brushstrokes of cold blue – handling the facial hair of “Mike” in a way that describes it perfectly yet is completely abstract.

Recently graduated from Emily Carr, it’s clear there will be great and interesting work ahead for her. This is how she describes her practice and ambitions:

In 2009 I graduated from Emily Carr with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts. Recently I got an art consultant and have had three shows this year. All together I would guess that I have been in about fifteen exhibtions. I am yet to get my first solo show, but its coming!

I am a full- time artist. Unfortunately this requires me to live at home, but I have a great family and my own studio so it’s hard to complain. Most of my time is spent applying for shows, jobs, working on home renos, and of course, painting! This year I have sold more paintings than any year prior so it’s very exciting how my career is progressing.

My parents are amazing. They are the only reason I have the abilities that I do and I am thankful and lucky to have so much support. All around my friends and family have been incredible. Sometimes in school I fantasized about discontinuing making art but I realised how madly in love with creation I am. There is nothing else that I could be doing, and it seems that I was made for this. They all agree, and it’s thanks to those around me that I ever found my passion.

I could ramble on, but there is my cheesy gooey ness. Family is awesome. Passion, luck, destiny.. etc, etc.

I also liked the treatment of the closed eye- the most common doodle is the eye, and so a closed eye given the fine art treatment is appealing and interesting. What do you think- favorite colours, of  her portraiture?