Today we’d like to introduce you to Deb Gargula.
Deb, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Everything I did as a child had a drawing or painting attached to it. Anything creative occupied my time. Fortunately, there was still art instruction during elementary school.
The art program in my high school was amazing and formal training in all forms of art began in earnest. I was able to spend hours per day exploring and creating in a variety of mediums including lithography and jewelry. My favorite was drawing and painting though. I spent years working mostly in graphite. I also loved working in acrylic and mixed media.
I chose a four-year college and through a series of choices graduated with a BFA in Interior Design, not quite the original intention. For the next 20 years, I worked in Chicago and also started my mom career. There was not really time for drawing or painting, so that part of me lay dormant. I was creative in other ways, and definitely with my sons. I am so grateful I was able to spend time at the Art Institute of Chicago which inspired me and kept me connected to my creative roots.
A painting class with my son was my introduction back onto my artist path. Although my first painting in 20 years was no masterpiece, I was encouraged that all of those experiences and previous lessons were still within and I made a commitment to reignite this part of me.
Fast forward to 2012 where I became a studio partner at Spanish Village Art Center, in Balboa Park. This opportunity to share my work and participate in an artists group there has impacted my art.
The first pieces I juried into the Village with were colored pencil, strictly 2D on paper. In the past five years, as a result of allowing myself to explore, play, have learning experiences, my work involves a number of substrates including wood, porcelain, travertine stone, formed paper, canvas, and of course paper of different types and textures. I have even worked on 3D constructions, allowing me to tell the story of my subject from different viewpoints within the same piece.
Through this journey, I am learning that the journey is never over. There is always something new to explore. Take a risk, give yourself permission to do a new thing. Most of all, enjoy the journey.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Most of the images I create fall into two categories- animal portraits and landscapes, Lately though I am exploring portraiture.
After spending a few years working in watercolor, I realized that I missed drawing. I attended a colored pencil workshop with Alan Servoss up in Door County Wisconsin. It was the perfect combination of drawing plus color. I began working on paper substrate and explored the many ways to depict a subject in that medium. I became bored and felt limited with that approach though.
About four years ago, my work took a dramatic turn. I started thinking about ways to create with colored pencil in 3D.
The idea of intersecting planes, or deviating from the traditional formats of landscape or portrait, These became a catalyst for a new direction. That also encouraged me to think of manipulating a paper surface so that flat was not the only option. And then, what if other surfaces would accept the pencil?
This became my new normal. I still work on paper, but it’s freeing not to have that be my only option. When I see an image I want to work with, the possibilities of how to present it are limitless.
As far as a message or inspiration-paint what you love. The better you know your subject, the more of a connection you have with it, the more you can communicate.
Know your motivation. Are you painting what you like, or what will appeal to a buyer? Be true to your vision.
My artwork is a reflection of me. It is about sharing beauty, my inspiration, my impressions.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I think there are so many visual images that bombard us every day. It becomes overwhelming. People generally don’t like to be shouted at with the message. Each artist has to speak in their own language, the message they were born to share. I feel my message is about a peace not tied to this world. It is reflected in the images and presentation I choose.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work can be viewed daily at Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. I am located in Studio 34A. I also submit to shows around San Diego and also nationally. Currently, I have work in “Pencil Paintings” at the Cypress Community Center, Cypress, CA. The show runs until April 12, 2019.
I have a piece in an online show at Colored Pencil Society of America called ExploreThis!. Of course it is an experimental show using colored pencil. It will be up until Jan 31,2020. You can view it at https://www.cpsa.org/exhibitions/explore-this/.
Come see me!
Contact Info:
- Address: website is currently under construction.
- Email: CApencilpainter@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dgargula11/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deb.gargula
Image Credit:
Michael Campos Photography
Deb Gargula photographer
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