Joy Gonzalez
Oil
on Canvas, Watercolor and Jewelry
Artist's Statement:
I have always loved the creative process, currently including jewelry-making and painting for The Artists Studio. In my artwork, I try to convey my deep appreciation of the natural world, since I have enjoyed camping and hiking in the mountains and by the ocean since I was a child. I hope my paintings and jewelry share the excitement I feel outdoors and the exuberance of creative activity.
I collect rocks, beads made from rocks, and handmade beads that resemble rocks to use as elements in my handmade jewelry. I use these “rocks” with precious metal wire (sterling silver, copper, and gold-filled) to create free-form, organic-looking jewelry, using wire-wrapping techniques and an antiquing process. My jewelry can be bold to help the wearer make a statement or subtle to enhance or complete an outfit.
On my best painting days, I lose track of time and get into the flow of what I am doing, then look up and discover that I have been painting all day. My favorite subjects are landscapes, often small paintings painted plein air or larger paintings painted from my plein air studies, sometimes using photographic references. I feel that the experience of capturing atmospheric effects in plein air carries over into my studio work, allowing work from photographs to come vividly to life. Recently I have started working from the model or a still life in the studio, preferring to paint from a “live” setup than from a photograph. I love the fluidity and delicacy of watercolor on paper and I also love the richness and depth of oil on canvas, so I work in both media, depending on my mood and the weather. If I can give the viewer a magical view of a special place and time of day, my art has fulfilled its purpose.
Artist's Bio:
MEDIA: Oil paintings, Watercolor paintings, Wire-wrapped jewelry
EXPERIENCE:
Hughes Aircraft – Technical Illustrator
Hughes Aircraft - Drafter
Hughes Aircraft/Raytheon Company – User Interface Designer and Programmer
Freelance Artist/Jewelry Designer
EXHIBITIONS:
Oct 2008 Reflections 4 Person Show, TAS Village Gallery
Aug 2008 Pastiche II Group Art Show, TAS Village Gallery
2007/2008 PVAC Small Treasures Juried Show (2007 3D, 2008 2D)
2007/2008 Malaga Cove Show
2007/2008 PVAC Artists Studio Tour
2007 Laguna Plein Air Painters Miniature Show
1986 California State University Dominguez Hills Alumni Show
1985 One woman show at Carson City Hall
GALLERY AFFILIATIONS:
The Artists’ Studio, Palos Verdes Art Center
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:
Palos Verdes Art Center(PVAC),
PVAC Pacific Arts Group (2007-2008 vice president, 2008-2009, president)
The Artists’ Studio at the Village (paintings)
The Artists’ Studio at PVAC (jewelry)
National Watercolor Society (2008-2009 Third Vice-president)
California Arts Club Painting Patron
Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
EDUCATION:
BA in Fine Arts major from California State University Dominguez Hills
Also studied art at UCLA and LA Harbor College
Additional classes/workshops with
Connie Fox (jewelry)
To purchase call: 310-991-7144 or e-mail gabrielle.artistsstudio.pvac@gmail.com
