Gail Gulley
I do not have a formal education or background in art. I have, however, always had a passion for creating things with my hands. My grandmother taught me to crochet back in the day, which lead me to making Afghans, baby booties, baby blankets and baby sweaters. I took up cross stitching, embroidery, flower arranging, macrame and ceramics throughout the years. I have enjoyed refinishing and upholstering furniture as well. I love working with wood and recently made a small table top out of a piece of Red Tip that had to be cut down at my dad’s house.
After my husband passed away suddenly when I was 51, I went to tole painting classes where I got my first taste and love for painting.
I put painting on hold for a while, devoting most of my time to my job as Supervisor of Consumer Accounting at Coweta Fayette EMC and taking care of the home front. I love playing in the dirt, making things grow and just doing anything outside.
I began fostering cats and kittens with Newnan Coweta Humane Society, at which time I started wood burning to create collection boxes for events. I was pleased to find out they are still in use. I still enjoy woodburning projects. I created a sign to go over a bar that my daughter and friends built. The bar top is from a live edge piece of wood taken from a large oak that was removed from my front yard. This really called for a special sign which was designed in remembrance of her beloved stepfather.
After I retired in 2016, I ventured out (something that has always been hard for me) on Art Walk night in Newnan. I loved visiting all the artists and seeing the awesome talent of so many local artist. This was the night I met Chelita Freeman at the Corner Art Store. I fell in love with her oil paintings. She, of course, told me I could paint like that too. So, I thought, what have I got to lose. That was when I started taking lessons from her. I have learned tole painting and landscape painting from her. I really enjoy painting in oils. I have been taking lessons from her ever since that night. With each project, I have learned more and more about painting and have been inspired to continue learning on my own. I have learned to look at art differently and to appreciate many forms of art.
I have recently taken up acrylic pour painting, creating abstract art in acrylics. This is a really fun art. I donated several of my pieces to the Newnan Coweta Humane Society for their online silent auction and was thrilled to know that they sold at top price right away. This has inspired me to want to put more of my paintings, both in oil and in acrylic, out there for people to see.
I am mostly self-taught. There is so much to learn just from others. Through the internet I have learned a lot of techniques and styles and can’t wait to try many of them.
Gail Gulley
Chattahoochee Hills, Ga
Phone: 770-463-1226
Cell: 678-458-5633
Email: [email protected]
Please, enjoy Gail's Slide show below
