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The Art of Gabriele Childs
Revisited
Gabriele Childs and her husband first discovered
Punta Gorda about 18 years ago, but did not
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actually make the community their home until
after her husband’s retirement in 2000.
Gabriele Childs was born and educated in
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Europe where she studied traditional realism
and the old master’s techniques with a
famous European artist. |
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Feature Story:
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Gabriele Childs'
Gallery & Studio
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However, while she took an occasional art course
she is substantially a self taught artist. Gabriel
spent many years practicing and perfecting her realism techniques.
During this time oil painting was the medium of
choice for expressing her artistic talents.
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click to
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The 1990’s found Gabriele moving beyond her
realism roots as she made her debut as an
abstract commercial artist. She describes
her technique as “embracing the freedom and
the challenge of abstract expressionism to
create a harmonious unity of color, form and
texture to satisfy both the eye and emotion
of the viewer. The exploration of texture
on a flat surface is the underlying energy
of my work, the inexplicable beckoning of
shapes inspire and direct the execution of
my paintings.”
Discovering the
freedom of experimental painting, her work
now encompasses a wide variety of subject
matter and utilizes a diverse list of
materials, as she creates an alliance of
uncommon sophistication.
“Childs paintings show an observant and
sensitive eye, her range from traditional
realism to abstract expressionism is
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wide. Her abstract works are a full of
energy and motion, as the realistic
paintings are quiet and contemplative.”
Mark Arnest, Art Critic, 1999.
After spending a year remodeling the small
building she purchased on the corner of
Olympia and Dupont, Gabriele opened her
gallery on January 19, 2001. Gabriele Childs
Studio and Gallery located at 251 E. Olympia
Avenue, Punta Gorda is an inspiring place to
visit and view her impressive collection.
Classical music gracefully sets the tone as
you enter this working studio and gallery.
She enjoys working with textures as is
evident in her paper and fabric collages on
canvas. She often has twenty to thirty
layers of a thin acrylic wash on any one
painting to achieve the desired look. Many
of her sculptured works are tribal in nature
and will find her using a variety of organic
plant material, paper, sand and fabric. She
views art as problem solving and loves to be
presented a challenging project that
stretches her abilities. |
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on photographs
to enlarge..... |
One very large unique piece of work, titled
Yin and Yang Weaving, measures 50” x 56”. It
is made up of strips of canvas that have
been painted, then woven and layered with
different textures. Gabriele devoted
hundreds of hours to complete this piece.
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As Gabriele begins to
paint, she allows the piece to evolve, not
really knowing exactly where it is going to
lead her. Each piece is looked at as a new
adventure. Often she will notice an image,
face or figure emerge from the painting.
When this takes place she will frequently
incorporate it into the work. You will
notice an example of this incorporation in
her painting "Language of Color.”
Gabriele’s work is well known and
appreciated as her pieces can be found
throughout the world. She is |
currently working on several
commissioned wall sculptures for clients from around the
country. Gabriele's work has been
shown in numerous exhibitions and is
included in various private and corporate
collections, both national and
international.
Her latest show, “Tiles,” was held in Punta Gorda
this past February and drew art lovers from Naples
to Sarasota.
Gabriel’s gallery also displays the works of another
talented artist, Nancy Stage Robinson. Nancy is
currently residing in Colorado Springs where she
also owns an art studio and gallery. These two
artists and friends exhibit each other’s works and
portfolios in their respective galleries.
Gabriele Childs’ Gallery & Studio is opened Monday
through Wednesday from 10am-2pm or by appointment
(941) 575-1711.  |
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"If you are really living... you are enjoying the Punta Gorda
Life"
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