Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Howell.
Hi Gabrielle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My art journey began about eight years ago, during the start of my college years. What started as doodling in notebooks has evolved into drawing and painting on canvas. However, it wasn’t until last year that I truly began to share my work with others. It took time for me to prepare for the emotions that came with the exposure, especially since many of my pieces stem from personal experiences and emotion that most people don’t see.
It took me a while to reach this point, especially because at the time I lacked the confidence to show my work and feared the judgment of others more than I should have. Pursuing my art has been a journey of significant inner healing and self-growth, allowing me to share my creations and reveal that side of myself.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is gaining the confidence in who I am. People are just people, and opinions are just opinions. There are countless opinions in this world, and learning to sift through them and only listen to the ones that truly matter is crucial. This understanding has played a huge role in my art journey and my life as a whole.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Overall, the road has been smooth for the most part. One of the most important things I’ve learned is not to rush the discovery phase, which I believe is crucial for having a successful art business, while still enjoying what I do. However, I don’t want to give the impression that everything has been perfect and without struggle. I’ve encountered challenges, but I’ve seen them as opportunities to learn, grow, and gain wisdom.
Not to sound cliché, but staying positive through the good and the bad will be what keeps you going. Art brings me joy and is my passion, and I don’t believe any struggle is worth taking that away. It all depends on how you view and handle the bumps in the road.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My artwork consists of abstract and experimental elements. I primarily do black and white pen and ink line work, with occasional touches of color. I incorporate shapes and curves to create anything from human figures to plants and mystical creatures. My goal is to attain a balance between complexity and simplicity, while taking viewers on a personalized abstract journey.
I’m known for my distinctive style and the unique imagery I produce. Each piece is a reflection of my imagination and personal life journey. My own experiences and emotions shape my work, making it distinctly mine.
I am particularly proud of having the courage to share my artwork with the public. To me, art is sacred; it involves translating my internal feelings and imagination onto a canvas.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
While art is a passion of mine, many might not know that I also work as a business intelligence analyst in higher education. I find that these two passions complement each other wonderfully. Working in business intelligence allows me to engage in analytical thinking, while my art provides a creative outlet for less structured, more free-form thinking. This balance between the two helps to free my mind and enrich my creative process.
Contact Info:
- Website: gabriellehowellart.com
- Instagram: GabrielleHowellArt
