My stories

  • It’s been a while!

    I know, and probably no one cares! Ha! But I’ve been thinking about this blog, and painting, and sharing some thoughts for quite some time now.

    Nonetheless, I’ve worked on a “new” painting station, and it’s ready now, a very nice and quiet spot on my basement, where I can paint while my husband plays his video games. It’s the best of both worlds for us. We spend time together, chitchatting about what’s going on with either my paper and brushes or his controller and screen. We listen to music or a podcast, take breaks for snacks and to check on our dog. Life is more than good. We’re enjoying every moment.

    So… desk set, here I go!

    Lilies

    I don’t have much to say other than it’s summertime and I felt like painting flowers. Thing is, I get bored so easily. And I have a doubtful taste for self-challenge. And then, this happened:

    The beginning of a dream…
    …and perhaps I should just keep on dreaming!

    Lord, help me. Not to be too hard on myself, remember I’ve never done any kind of painting lessons before. It’s all my eyes, my guts, and my lack of technique. At least it’s obvious this, well, isn’t a horse, but rather a picture of a horse.

    I like it! I am fascinated with the fact that I’ve been able to express one of my biggest insecurities in that picture: my very fine hair and my deepest desire to have so, so, so much hair! My horse got it all.

    There is an androgynous feel to this horse. Again, I like it.

    I’ll be back soon. I hope you’re doing well and enjoying your time with your paper and brushes too.

    G.

  • Eagle Over Mountains – a birthday celebration

    My sweetheart just had a big birthday this past weekend, and I know how much he loves bald eagles – they are, unquestionably, his patronus. I know as a beginner painter I am likely to make big mistakes when trying to paint…well…basically anything, but I truly liked how this one turned out.

    Eagle Over Mountains

    I love to gift my people with cards that are meaningful to them, and that bring some sort of reference or symbology to what we are celebrating.

    What should I paint next? Any suggestions for Easter? That would be fun!

    Have a wonderful week,

    Gisele

  • Valentine’s Day Card – Sparkly Winter Color Hearts

    Hope you had a fun V-Day! I did, and also painted a small card for my sweetheart.

    Valentine’s Day Card

    I love mixing up the bright cold tones with gold sparkly details. The contrast adds so much life to it!

    You can follow me on TikTok for some video content as well: @gisele.gallery

    See you soon!

    G.

  • Self-Image

    This isn’t my usual content, but I’m hoping you won’t mind me sharing some random thoughts with you. Although most of my paintings have a very personal background, which I often describe in my blog posts, I don’t ever stop by here just “to chat”…

    I’ve been struggling with my self-image lately. Different reasons, most just reoccurring complexes I’ve had since I was very young. Some are new. But today I saw a beautiful painting of an artist I really admire, and she named it a “non-consensual self-portrait”. And it got me thinking.

    I attempted a self-portrait once, a few months back. Oh, what a disaster! I wonder how hard that is for most artists, even more so female artists, to paint themselves. I assume men wouldn’t have much of an issue with it, perhaps their challenges would be of other sorts… I wouldn’t know.

    But I’d love to paint a self-portrait, something borderline abstract maybe, free shaped, maybe, but I just can’t. I can’t see me.

    Any piece of advice?

    Anyhow, it’s a process, I know.

    G.

  • Beija-Flores

    I’m sipping on my coffee, thinking about how accomplished I feel after finishing one more painting today. I’m fantasizing that painting is my full-time job, and that living off my art is making me rich. Is that what all artists must dream of? Fortunately, I’m a little more realistic than most artistic souls…

    Free-handed, dry on wet.
    Beija-Flores is the plural of the compound word ‘beijo-flor’, which in Portuguese means ‘hummingbird’.
    This is another piece to celebrate the month of love! It’s just too cute.

    My favorite part about this painting is the lack of hard lines. The aquarela really feels like water. I love how the paint dried up, so maaarblelous…

    Have a wonderful weekend, all!

    G.

  • Caminito – A very special birthday card

    It was my father’s birthday this month and I decided to gift him with a card that would represent his roots. He was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and el Caminito is one of its most famous alleys located in La Boca, mostly a touristic neighborhood, yet one of the most popular sites for local artists to make and sell their art.

    Image source: Flung Magazine

    So I thought that painting el Caminito for my father’s birthday card would be special. He has some paintings of Buenos Aires at home, but none of them showing this specific place.

    I started off by outlining the pictures, something I rarely do. But I thought it would be important to have guidelines for this one.
    ¡Tango!
    I know a lot of local tango dancers perform in front of this building to entertain tourists and make some money with their art, too.
    Here is my father holding the final work! I’m happy that he loved it and said he’s going to frame it… so sweet!
    My father is a technology guru, so when I asked him to send me a picture of the card (because I forgot to take one of the finished product) he also sent me the scanned file, which I appreciate so much, you can really see all the details of the painting that way. Thanks dad!

    So here’s my two cents for celebration cards, make it unique, make it in a way that makes sense to the person that will receive it, I’m sure that will make them feel very special!

    Have a wonderful day,

    G.

  • Let The Love Bloom 💗

    While we’re still facing the cold weather here in the Midwest for the next few weeks – and we likely will live a cold February 14th – there is no excuse to keep the love from blooming up, after all, Valentine’s Day could be one of the hottest days of the year (for some…!).

    Candy Flowers

    I’m on a love wagon, you guys. Self-love, that as well. Even if you don’t think you’ll be sharing this V-Day with a romantic pair, don’t hesitate, not for one second, to celebrate life, friendship, family, and…art! Why not?!

    Candy Flowers is a simple piece, also painted from an inspirational image I found online. My excitement was very much related to the challenge of freehand painting, especially the vase. I have a very hard time freehand painting circular objects, the symmetry never turns out good enough. But that’s okay.

    Overall, this made me very happy. The painting process itself, and the final product.

    I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!

    G.

  • Mates For Life – A Delicate, Romantic Valentine’s Day Card Idea

    Happy 2023! I’ve been MIA from the blog but in real life I’ve been working on some cute pieces, including this lovely (and fairly easy) idea for a Valentine’s Day card:

    ‘Mates For Life‘

    I painted this one for my beloved parter, it was inspired by an image I found on Google.

    Also, I’ve been taking an online watercolor course, I intend to share more information about it in the upcoming posts, so stay tuned!

    Have a wonderful day,

    G.

  • Lótus, the manatee

    So much has happened in my life the last five days I honestly don’t know how I found inspiration to paint. But it happened. And I’m so happy that it did.

    Let me tell you a little bit about the story behind Miss Lótus, the manatee. There is this one very important person in my life, she’s my dear friend, life coach, adventurous soul, my enchanted fairy (as we say back home “uma fada sensata”), Jacqueline.

    Jacque has been one of the greatest sources of hope and optimism for me for the last many years. She’s the kind of human being that just knows what to say to you, and she does it without an agenda – Jacque is the rarest type of person, she is the type that genuinely cares. I’m so lucky to have Jacque in my life.

    This year Jacque moved from Iowa to Florida, and I couldn’t be more proud of her for chasing after her happiness. Jacque is a nature lover. She loves the ocean. She loves the sun and the warmth. And as far as the animal kingdom goes, she loves them all. But one of them has a special place in Jacque’s heart. Can you guess which one that is?

    So as a token of my love and appreciation for my dear Jacqueline, I made Lótus, the manatee. Lótus was painted last night while Jacque and I were having one of our life sharing moments over the phone – a call that lasted for six hours and twenty five minutes. You read it correctly.

    Jacque did not know I was painting during our call, it was a sudden idea I had when we were about one hour into it. The paint took me about 2.5 hours to be finished. And I personally really liked it.

    So Miss Lótus will be making her way to Florida soon, she’ll be watching her manatee fellows swimming around through the window, she’ll watching over Jacque reminding her that somewhere in the middle of a cornfield there’s a someone who adores her, who looks up to her, and who is so grateful for their friendship.

    Have a great Sunday all,

    G.

  • A Humble Tribute To Her Majesty The Queen

    Today we reflect on the life of an extraordinary human being who devoted seventy years of her life to serve tirelessly her people, her nation, her home. This painting is far from being anything worthy of Her Majesty, but she inspired me to express my respect, admiration, and at this very sad moment, my condolences.

    Queen Elizabeth II

    You can watch the TikTok video of me working on this painting by clicking here: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTR5j1B1K/ or by visiting my profile @gisele.t_ .

    Sending my prayers to all who have been impacted by this tremendous loss, family, friends, and the people of the United Kingdom.

    G.