This is why I do what I do...

The email below nearly brought tears to my eyes...it is always my hope that my art will bring people the same sort of joy that I experience when creating it. 

We Awoke and Realized We Were Already in Paradise
Fine art giclee prints available here.

"Gina, I received the print and it is absolutely magnificent. You are extremely talented and I can't wait to hang it. I know now what people mean when they talk about art. So many of your pieces have caught my eye before but this one I had to have. When I saw it online I can't describe what it made me feel. When I opened it and saw my print, it literally took my breath away. Thank you!"  

-Kelly, Brooklyn, NY

New Painting: The Springtime Inside the Winter

16" x 20"

Oil and Mixed Media on Canvas

Currently on Display at Vino 100 Dallas

Available for online purchase here.

This painting was a study for a larger commissioned piece. 
It was inspired by one of my favorite passages from Albert Camus:


My dear,

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.

In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.

In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.

I realized, through it all, that…

In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.

Truly yours,
Albert Camus

Newly Commissioned Painting, "The Testimony Tree"

30" x 40" x 1.5"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

I am in love with this painting on so many levels. I am extremely happy with how it turned out. Secondly, I got to create it for a family that has had a very special place in my heart for most of my life.

But the most special thing to me about this piece is the story behind it....

Sherry contacted me because she was looking for a meaningful present for her daughter Natalie's 25th b-day. This was a big birthday for Natalie, and she wanted to give her  something that would begin her list of collectibles, of "haves", of things that she could save and one day pass along when she has a family of her own.

Back in 2003 when Natalie was in high school, she had written her mom a very meaningful letter. This letter was so special that Sherry had saved it over the years and turned to it nearly every day for comfort, reassurance and a testimony to the fact she had done a "good job" raising Natalie to grow into a mature and beautiful person.  Still in its original frame from 2003, the letter was looking a little aged, the frame was starting to come unhinged, and Sherry wanted a way to honor the letter and the beautiful words it contained while preserving it in a way that would become a fairly heirloom that could be passed down to Natalie when she is ready to have it.  

Sherry visited my website and saw my abstract cherry blossoms and how I often incorporate text into my work and asked me to create something along these lines showcasing the text of Natalie's letter.  

This painting felt like such a collaborative effort between me and Natalie I even placed the signature of her letter and my signature of the painting together at the bottom right corner.

This painting will hang in Sherry's living room until Natalie is ready to have it in her own home.  Sherry thought of the title and I couldn't have come up with a better one myself.

Newly Commissioned Painting, "And Then Came the Day"

36" x 48" x 1.5"

Oil and Mixed on Canvas

"Everything in life is pointing us back to our true nature." 

-Stephen Cope

I was so happy to create this painting for the Niemeic family. Maggie, who I have known and loved since high school, has always been a bit of a poet and dreamer herself...that's part of the reason I think we became friends. We just "got" each other and to find a friend who gets you is a priceless gift. It was a pleasure to collaborate with her on this piece because she was looking for something to fit a specific space and was interested in my abstract cheery blossoms. However, she wanted to incorporate some aquas/turquoises into the mix as well as excerpts from some treasured writings she had collected over the years.

Her request could not have come at a better time because I have been dreaming of painting something like this for quite a while.  Similar blossoms to what I have been loving to create lately but with a totally different color scheme. The colors have been dancing in my head and I love to incorporate the written word into my paintings...here the words lie under the images, barely visible to the naked eye, yet so essential in creating the text and the meaning of this painting. I write in my paintings as a literal means to process my feelings and emotions and express them through my art. Now in this painting Maggie was able to do that with me. I am so grateful for her giving me the opportunity to bring this image to life.

Detail shots are above and to the left. As always, if you want info about a custom piece, just email me.

A Poem for Wednesday, "Trees"

Spring's Sweet Rhythm

Fine Art Giclee Prints Available on Etsy

TREES
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

 THINK that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

 

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

 

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

 

A tree that may in Summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

 

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

 

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

New Painting, "Awake, My Soul"

8" x 10"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

This piece is currently available for sale.

 "All nature loves an honest person. Then you need not run after things, for they will run after you. And if you are always truthful, if no lie comes from your mouth, a time will come when all you say will come true...the more we lead a life of honesty the more we will see the results, and that will encourage us to be more honest."

Satchindananda

I have been fascinated by my study of the yogic teachings and exploring the concept of Satya, or truthfulness. This painting was inspired by the idea of finding something so relatable that it awakens your soul and connects your understanding and identity to your expression.

Keeping this in mind, we strive to incorporate truth in all that we do, whether it is in thought, word or action, so that in the end we become firmly established in truth. This is no easy feat, but with practice and clear intentions, we live an honest, truthful way of living. When you are established in truth things will come to you automatically.

To take this a step further, when we practice yoga we go within in order to unite with divinity or inner light. Ultimately we discover that this divinity is Truth and by uniting with this inner light we understand that "I am That" or "I am Truth." 

To be firmly established in truth is to be firmly established in your own true nature. Every time we are dishonest, whether it is with other people or ourselves, we then get further and further away from our true Self. By practicing truthfulness and honesty in our thoughts words and actions, we then come closer to the ultimate Truth.

Follow truth and truth will follow you.

New Painting, "To Give is to Love""

8" x 10"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Gallery-Wrapped Canvas

SOLD

“Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun. Care for those around you. Look past your differences. Their dreams are no less than yours, their choices no more easily made. And give, give in any way you can, of whatever you posses. To give is to love. To withhold is to wither. Care less for your harvest than for how it is shared and your life will have meaning and your heart will have peace.” 

Kent Nerburn

These cherry blossoms were commissioned by a Collector in Washington, D.C. She wanted me to paint something to be given as a wedding gift to dear friends.  I am filled with gratitude to create a piece that has so much sentimental value already attached to it. I worked on five cherry blossom pieces at once, and it is interesting to see how the subject matter progresses from very tight to more loose and free as my comfort level increased. This is one of the looser ones, as you may have guessed.  

New Painting, "Beauty for Your Eyes to See"

"Beauty for Your Eyes to See"

24" x 28"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”  

Irish Blessing

This painting was commissioned for a baby nursery.  Ellie was born a few weeks ago on September 16 and now the world is a brighter place.  I hope she enjoys gazing at her new paintings...this is the first of two and the second one is nearly finished.

New Painting, "The Beautiful Present"

8" x 10"

Acrylic and Mixed Media on Canvas

“One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering.” -Unknown


This painting is part of a new series that was inspired by a commissioned painting of cherry blossoms from a Collector in D.C.  


The title came from my recent deeper foray into my yoga practice.  Having been a competitive runner for the last 5 years (and a hard-core Katy Trail rat for all the Dallas folks reading this), I am gradually shifting my focus toward running more recreationally and focusing on my yoga practice. It has only been a few weeks and I can already feel my left knee thanking me. With my practice I hope, among other things, to better be able to maintain my presence in the the moment.  To enjoy my life, my blessings, my family, instead of scrambling to get a million things accomplished all in one day. To breathe. To be. It's not as easy as it sounds.