Gina Gwen Palacios » art

Painting: Revolt (growth)

ginagwen — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:24:06 +0000

Painting: Revolt (growth) – 11″ x 14″ Acrylic on Panel

Studio Visit: Nina Rizzo

ginagwen — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:19:19 +0000

While in Chicago, I was invited to visit the studio of local artist, Nina Rizzo. I felt extremely lucky to get an inside look at not only where she creates her artwork but also her processes and influences. Tacked on the wall were postcards, photographs, clippings of inspiration, friends and her significant others artwork. She had recently visited the Georgia O’Keeffe museum and had a handful of postcards, as well as books about artists or movements and as expected, original artwork (watercolors, oils and acrylics) tucked into every corner of her space. I believe she mentioned she had been in this studio for about two years and she is really maximizing the large area. Two corners and one wall were used as painting sections, the rest are used for storing materials, canvas, panels and other basics.
Nina received her MFA at The University of Texas at Austin and is currently teaching in the School of Art at Northern Illinois University.

Below are images of her large studio space as well as a few shots from her opening at Linda Warren Project in March.

Art Opening: Ain’t No Reason to Hang My Head by Joseph Noderer

ginagwen — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 03:06:29 +0000

In March I traveled to Chicago with Jospeh Noderer to attend the opening of his show, “Ain’t No Reason to Hang My Head” at Linda Warren Projects. This is a new space for Linda (around the corner from where her gallery used to be located) and it’s roomy and bright and perfect for showing great art. The opening was shared with another artist, Nina Rizzo…but I’ll talk more about Nina in an upcoming post.
It’s the first art opening I have attended in Chicago and it was really exciting. The show was well attended with a constant flow of art collectors, artists, friends, students, family and who ever else was interested. Joe was pretty busy the whole night talking to a reporter or two as well as discussing his paintings to the rest of us. This was the one night he really needed to be able to talk…and he slowly lost his voice! By the end of the show, he was left making a few squeaks! He was able to hold out till the end…and we closed the show by going to a nearby pub to celebrate with the gallery owner, assistants, Nina, and a few others.
Not too bad for my first art opening I attended in Chicago!

Below are some images of the space, as well as friends and family…and Joe back home:

Rollergirl/Artist

ginagwen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:24:10 +0000

A photographer came through Austin to photograph some rollergirls. From what I understood, the goal was to capture a rollergirls personality through the image. So we were asked to bring something (if anything) that portrays who we are. I brought a painting.

I didn’t mean to look so sad…
The photographer is Kyle Cassidy. Hopefully, our images will be part of a book! Check out Kyle’s blog.

AVAA’s 35th Anniversary Photos

ginagwen — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:59:06 +0000

The AVAA’s 35th Anniversary show opening was held at the Dougherty Arts Center on February 2nd. While not the first show I’ve participated in, it was the first major one I was able to attend! I was happy to see quite a crowd there as well as several friends! Thanks to those who braved the traffic, weather and parking to show their support!

The large space if full of varied pieces of art, if you’re near the DAC, go check it out! The show runs till February 22nd.

AVAA 35th Anniversary Exhibit

ginagwen — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:46:26 +0000

AVAA’s 35th Anniversary Exhibit
Feb. 2 – Feb. 22
Where: Dougherty Arts Center
Opening reception: Feb. 2nd, 6-8 p.m.

Austin Visual Artists Association is a 501C3nonprofit, serving the contemporary arts in Austin since 1977. This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future.

Painting: Missing

ginagwen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:04:35 +0000

Missing – Acrylic on 16″ x 16″ panel, 2011

Painting: Soft the Sun

ginagwen — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:49:54 +0000

“Soft the Sun” – Acrylic on 9″ x 12″ canvas

On a photo road trip with Joe and I really loved this tiny road to the houses in the distance.

Painting: Cotton On To

ginagwen — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:34:37 +0000

“Cotton On To” – Acrylic on 16″ x 16″ panel

This is a scene I was used to growing up in south Texas. I’d see the rows and rows of tiny mountains…they’d follow me as I sat in the backseat of the blue station wagon we had. I’d imagine the chasing shadows were an animal racing alongside the car. A giraffe? Something with long legs, trying to keep up. If you don’t understand what I mean, it’s because you probably haven’t been around farm land too long. Cotton was the major crop, you’d see it strewn about the sides of the road after it had been picked.

Painting: KTP in NYC

ginagwen — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:32:49 +0000

KTP in NYC – Acrylic on 16″ x 16″ panel.

I traveled to NYC this summer to visit a friend and check out the city again. My friends, Liz and Katie have a place in Brooklyn where I was able to crash. Each day I got up with Liz and headed into the city with her. We’d part ways at Grand Central Station and meet up later in the evening. Their apartment is small but cozy…
at the time, Katie was still living in Austin, finishing out a job. They were separated for a few months, which seemed pretty difficult.
One night after I had gotten back, Katie was sitting on my couch, playing guitar. It was a pretty image, so I decided to paint her playing…but in her real apartment in NYC.

I was inspired by a painter I spotted on Tumbler named Susan Lichtman. I just really liked her forms and palette and wanted to try my hand at creating something like it, but still sticking to my own imagery. It’s a style I’d like to continue focusing on. Worrying less on the details of the image and more on shapes and the effect of light and shadows on objects. Joe mentioned Susan’s work reminds him of Fairfield Porter…who is also amazing! Check both of those artists out (and Joe!).

I am continuing to paint in all kinds of styles and trying different things. Hopefully to find a central theme within all of these seemingly random images. Although they are not random since all are based on things close and personal to me.