Gayla Hollis
Artist Statement
"Creating art excites me to no end! What inspires me is being inside a forest. So do thoughts of our vast yet tiny universe. Southern French culture is of great influence when I paint and my spirit felt Native American roots. I mostly paint iconic buffalo. At times I paint a festive guitar, an early sunrise, or a commissioned piece. Here is how I create a painting. Many artists plan ahead and sketch. I do not. It takes discipline on my part to allow only a general idea of subject matter. Keeping an open mind, I apply watercolor and oil paints, free hand, by brush, onto the canvas. Throughout the process I stay in a meditative zone which allows the art to freely flow. Each painting seems to somewhat take on a life of its own. As I paint along creating positive possibilities, it feels like a surprise birthday party and unwrapping presents. C'est fini. Voila. You're invited!"
NY Times Best Seller and author, Lucia St. Clair Robson, says, “Gayla Hollis's art is striking, in true celebration of human spirit! Ms. Hollis grew up in Cajun French culture in Louisiana with swamp and Bayou Courtableau close by. She fondly recalls dance academy, water skiing, and camping under the stars. After attending universities in Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma, she attained a B.A. in Fine Art. Her painting career suddenly skyrocketed when she began transferring onto canvas her dream of a rare white buffalo. You will find that her one-of-a-kind style is evocative and unique. In Ms. Hollis's paintings I see a fresh merging of fauvism, pop art, European graffiti, and expressionism."
Dr. Griff Blakewood of the University of Louisiana, says "... In the art of Gayla Hollis we experience resonant edges between matter and mystery, dancing at the edge of positive possibilities."
@gaylahollisart
Gayla's work was featured in our Spring 2021 Group Exhibition, on view March 5 - August 1, 2021. Her work was also featured in our exhibition, SideStories, June - September, 2017.
