Gaylen Whiteman - About the Artist

“I am inspired by the heart, beauty and spirit of the natural world.  I love to paint the wild animals that share my 7-acre home here on Whidbey Island.  I also love to paint local people enjoying and interacting with our ever-changing environment.  My paintings capture the reality of the moment as I see and feel it, expressing the spirit and connection of all living things.   I try to paint the heart. 

I usually create my art based on personal experience, painting in my studio and using my own photos for detail reference.  My style is what I call impressionistic realism, often with a touch of fantasy and humor.  I love it when I suddenly visualize a work – I feel the energy and can’t wait to begin.  I’m never quite sure what a finished painting will look like, and that unknown adds mystery and magic to my creation.”

Mostly self-taught, Gaylen continues to study from artists whose work she admires, art books and works of other artists for technique and inspiration.  She primarily paints in watercolor, with occasional forays into oils, charcoal and acrylics.  She has been drawing and painting since childhood. Gaylen is a member of the Artists of South Whidbey and lives near Freeland, Washington on Whidbey Island.

Exhibiting at Artworks Gallery, Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island WA – Originals, prints and cards     http://artworkswhidbey.com/     Cards also available at:  The Open Door Gallery, Bayview; Lind’s Drugstores in Freeland and Coupeville.