Gayle Gerson : Artist » forest collages

Tree Hugger

ggerson — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:48:45 +0000

I did this my latest in the series of forest collages as a demonstration for the Art Students’ League of Grand Junction in November. My demo was how to approach combining collage with oil paint. I brought along a collage background done on a cradled board, 12×12 inches. I had given the collage background several coats of clear gesso.
I finished this piece rather quickly, almost entirely during the demo. I just added a few finishing touches when I got home (the red dot and some integration of colors).
This artwork is for sale for $500.00

Confetti Aspens

ggerson — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:31:23 +0000

This is my latest attempt at using oil paint over a collage underpinning. My initial goal was to keep more of the collage showing, but as this piece progressed, I realized that I wanted something with a pattern to it and it evolved to its present state. This is painted on a 16 x 20 inch cradled board and is for sale for $700.00.

Early Morning Bird Meeting

ggerson — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:16:57 +0000

This is the third in my series of forest collages populated by birds and done on a 10×10 inch cradled board.
It will be featured in my show at The Dairy Art Center in Boulder, Colorado beginning July 15, 2011.
It is for sale for $500.00

High Level Bird Talks

ggerson — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:12:05 +0000

This is another in my series of forest collages populated by birds. This piece was created on a 10×10 inch cradled board which needs no frame and in fact can sit on a tabletop if desired.
It will be part of my show at The Dairy Art Center in Boulder, Colorado entitled “Forest for the Trees”.
It is for sale for $500.00

Topiary Forest

ggerson — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:18:02 +0000

This another of my mixed media oil experiments. It is truly a fantasy forest. I started it as a demo for a local art club and it soon took on a life of its own.
It is done on a wrapped canvas and is 18 inches x 24 inches.
It will be in the Dairy Art Center show in Boulder that I am calling “Forest for the Trees”.
It is for sale for $700.00

Bayou

ggerson — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:09:29 +0000

I wanted to see if I could use oil paint on top of collage. I love the process of applying juicy oil paint and working with mixing colors. I didn’t want to give up my collage process either. How could I have the best of both worlds? I discovered there is such a thing as clear gesso, so after coating the collage with UV varnish and letting it set and dry, I applied a couple of layers of the clear gesso.
It worked! The oil paint integrates beautifully into the piece giving it depth and clarity.
This work is done on a 30 inch x 40 inch wrapped canvas. I prepared it for a show at the Dairy Art Center in Boulder, Colorado in July which I am calling “Forest for the Trees”.
It is for sale for $2000.00

Bird Party

ggerson — Tue, 17 May 2011 01:04:27 +0000

I just finished this another one of my fantasy forest collages. This is done on a 10 inch by 10 inch cradled board so needs no framing. This painting has sold.

Such a Sky

ggerson — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 22:04:27 +0000

I wanted to see if I could do a large forest piece with less forest and more grassy areas. I was inspired by the field in back of our local elementary school where the sun glints off the undulations in the grass. The problem was how to integrate the character trees into the rest of the painting. I tried many different techniques until in frustration I covered the whole 5 foot by 2 foot piece with a glaze of black gesso. I rubbed off most of it and it created a beautiful mottled effect–instant integration and unity.
I don’t think I accomplished my initial goal, but in the process I discovered a new technique.
This piece is for sale for $2000.00

Magic Forest

ggerson — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:22:20 +0000

I have just completed this collage on cradled board. It was my first attempt at a vertical forest. I am pleased with how it turned out…pleased enough to enter it in a show in Denver that coincides with the Biennial of the Americas.
When my daughter, Liza, saw it, she said it reminded her of the Dr. Seuss’s Lorax and the Truffula trees. I certainly like that idea.
This piece is 30 inches high by 22 inches wide and is priced at $1700.00

Update: This collage was juried into the Denver Show. It is hanging at Core New Art Space Gallery on Santa Fe Street until July 25th.

Enchanted Forest

ggerson — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:23:02 +0000

This piece was my second attempt at a forest collage and it is the one with which I am happiest. It has long since sold and I have made 11×14 prints of it which are available at The Blue Pig Gallery in Palisade, Colorado. I love that fact that some of the trees on the left side of the painting are actually pictures of asparagus.