Conversations with Gayle Levée

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayle Levée. 

Hi Gayle, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
As a preschool-age child, I took an interest in color mixing and in editorial illustrations. Later, walking to kindergarten, I observed linear perspective and the way light would break up in a sprinkler hose. My mother and I loved to go out sketching together in our local Wyoming landscape. She taught me the things which her father, also an artist, had taught her. 

Several people in my childhood told me I had a gift and not to waste it. I promised them I wouldn’t. So, my choices in life have been made with an eye to keeping those promises. 

Painting is about the only thing I can do because I’m plagued with dyscalculia: a difficulty with dates, addresses, phone numbers, measuring, money — anything involving numbers. That left me out of jobs in retail, medicine, construction, waitressing… you name it. Homelessness was always a very real possibility. 

I married a man from Boston who took me back to New England. While raising my children, I did editorial illustrations for the Boston Globe – my old interest! In Boston, I met Robert Douglas Hunter, who taught me the principles of Impressionist Prismatic color mixing as well as outdoor painting and still life painting. His influence brought my painting to the next level. Powers Gallery in Boston and Bayview Gallery in Maine started carrying my work. 

When my marriage failed, I moved to Nashville – a place I had wanted to call home since middle school. Why? Because I loved trees and fields, a green and hilly landscape to paint. Cheekwood, the Frist, and the great art department at the Public Library were also a draw. 

My first day in town, I stopped by Plaza Art Supplies to buy a new easel. I asked Bruce Baker, the manager if he knew of a place I could teach. He suggested the classroom space at their own location. I also contacted Clay Whitelaw, owner of Richland Fine Art, who is now carrying my work at his beautiful gallery in Green Hills. 

The space at Plaza worked wonderfully as a teaching venue for over 15 years. I started Cumberland Atelier there, teaching classical fundamentals of drawing, color mixing, and design. Legacy Learning Systems contacted me to produce a set of teaching videos which they have marketed internationally. My work continued to sell well in all three galleries. 

Meanwhile, I met and married a wonderful man, Scott Ahlbrandt. 

Then COVID happened. Plaza stopped offering classroom space, and the galleries locked down. Scott came to the rescue, working long hours to research and deploy an excellent system for teaching online classes. We have a camera on the palette, one on the easel, and one on me. I can work with people in real-time from any location, online – even making corrections on their work using an editing app! 

As the lockdowns eased, I was able to also teach small mentorship classes at On-Track Studios in Franklin. Gallery sales are beginning to recover, and I’ve joined a gallery in Murfreesboro, where I now live with Scott. We’re in the process of building an addition which will house my studio as well as my online class systems – built-in this time, not rigged out of desperation! 

Tennessee has been good to me. This is a wonderful place to live. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. My dyscalculia has caused problems in pricing my work, collecting what is owed me, judging the value of something, and everything involved in running an independent business. 

Fine Art can be an edgy business, with an unsteady income plagued by recessions. People will consider something decent for their walls only after they have spent thousands of dollars on window coverings and electronics. 

And I think most artists struggle with self-esteem, questioning that what we are doing is worthwhile. When a piece gets rejected from a show, or when something languishes in a back room, we wonder why we even bother. Faith keeps me going. I know this is the work I was called to. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My still-life oil paintings have set me apart for years. Many of them are allegorical; many of them are based on abstract design even though they look realistic. I usually start with a feeling, or a color or shape I like, and put that together with beautiful colors and shapes that repeat or contrast. My goal is for you: when you look at my still life paintings, I want your heart to lift and your tension to flow away. 

Recently I’ve been doing “bucket list” paintings – subjects and views that I’ve always wanted to paint, but never did get around to. These paintings are going into juried shows and being exhibited online. They, too, are often allegorical – speaking of defiance, of strength and courage and hope. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’ve never given up. I made promises years ago which I need to keep. I know how hard it is, so I’ve never allowed myself to add to the difficulty by taking on an addiction or any expensive habits. I plan each day around painting. 

Pricing:

• Gallery paintings run from $800 through $5500
• Commissioned works start at a few hundred dollars for a drawing, up to similar prices to the gallery paintings
• Online classes are $200 for eight weeks
• Mentorship classes are $300 for four weeks

Contact Info:

• Email: https://www.gaylelevee.com/new-page-3 contact page on website
• Website: https://www.gaylelevee.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylelevee/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gayle.levee/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeveeFineArt
• Youtube: gayleleveefineartyoutube