Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayle Levee
Gayle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My family is artistic; my parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren are artists. So…my education started at home. My parents sent me to art lessons, and I studied painting in college. My education continues every time I watch a vlog or visit a gallery.
Galleries in the Southwest sold my work while I was in school. In my twenties, I moved to the East Coast, where coastal galleries including Bayview Gallery in Maine and Tree’s Place on Cape Cod began to carry my paintings.
Locally, Richland Fine Art and Church Street Gallery have had success with my art.
I’m an elected member of the Hudson Valley Art Association, the American Artists Professional League, and the Oil Painters of America. My work has been written about in Artists’ Magazine, International Artist, and American Art Review.
In 2022 I started an ARC-approved atelier. My atelier is an art school where students learn classical drawing study, 19th Century color, and 21st century techniques including digital editing. When COVID happened, I adapted to also teaching online. I’ve done a full series of video lessons for Learn and Master Painting.
Recently the ARC included my painting “Laden with Snow” in a digital archive to be sent to the moon on a joint NASA and SPACE-X mission to preserve a record of human achievements in the arts and sciences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t know if life is ever a smooth road. In my case, school was difficult. I sat there and drew on my desk, willing the hours to pass until I could go home and paint!
Later as a mom, I balanced my art responsibilities with my mom responsibilities. After my children had grown, my parents needed my help.
Having a career as an artist is a great blessing for someone who needs flexible hours!
Now I am free to paint and teach on my own schedule. Today I drove out to a barn to do a painting of it while the day was beautiful. You need to grab those beautiful days when they happen!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an oil painter, and I prefer to paint from life.
That means that, when weather is inclement, I will paint still life in the comfort of the studio.
During fine weather, I can hardly wait to go outside to paint. To travel, I’m fond of bringing my paint kit, driving a few hours, stopping to paint and then spending the night. If I fly, I bring the kit in my luggage. I’ve painted in most US states, Mexico and Europe. Japan awaits!
My still life paintings were lauded during the 90s and aughts. Now my landscapes, especially Tennessee landscapes, are winning awards and getting recognition.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
This:
You don’t have to be poor! The myth of the starving artist is just that: a myth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gaylelevee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylelevee/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063505811100
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6BOKlLqSJpOtU1dkWnhhYg
