Artist Statement
Nature, ephemeral, eternal, transcendent, is my inspiration. When I interpret and recreate the natural world in my art, I feel a deep connection to my subject matter and the intimation of something greater outside of myself. Starting with an image meaningful to me, and using both collage and paint, I build a world in layers, found images, hues, words, together with brushstrokes and washes of color. I find there is a continual transformation of the image as the work proceeds and progresses and different elements are brought into and out of focus. Seeing the world in bits and pieces is a kind of meditation, at times serendipitous as well as deliberate. The result communicates my feelings and thoughts, and often concerns for our environment, our earth and the myriad of creatures that share it.
Biography
Gaylen has worked professionally as an artist, designer, and art instructor since graduating from Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, Pa. in 1981 with a BFA in Painting. From 1980-85, she worked for the architectural firm of Robert Venturi, designing and constructing large animal exhibits made of fiberglass at the Philadelphia Zoo, for the George T. Widener Treehouse. In 1986, she was awarded a merit scholarship to pursue graduate work at the University of California, San Diego and California Institute of the Arts.
Following graduate studies, she worked in the design field in Los Angeles, CA as a painter, set and graphic designer. Some clients include AGA Oriental Rugs, The Daily Journal Newspaper and Dole Productions for which she created parts of the sets and animation for the Pee Wee Herman Christmas Special, 1988. She has worked for the PA Council of the Arts as an artist-in-residence in many schools throughout PA, creating murals, museum exhibits, outdoor sculpture and portraiture.
Gaylen earned her Masters in Education from Cabrini College in 2012, and recently retired from the School District of Lancaster having taught grades K-8 since 1993. Her art has been shown nationally; Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, PA., Pasadena Art Museum, Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster, PA and Pennsylvania College of Art and Design, Lancaster Pa, where she was an adjunct faculty member from 1990-1993. Gaylen has been an exhibiting guest artist at Red Raven Art Company, Lancaster, PA since 2010.
