Trisha Gilmore
Art has a way of adding depth and complexity to my home and work. I believe what we surround ourselves with is a powerful agent; what our gaze lands on can affect our mindset.
I paint to participate in a form of communication with myself and with observers. I start off with a bundle of shapes, colors, lines, texture, then I go back and slowly begin to block out the things that don’t make sense -- unraveling the revelations and ideas. I paint because I like to take the puzzle of my art apart and put it back together. The act of playing motivates me to make art. Not being afraid to make a mark or mistake is what I try to accomplish in each painting session.
I strive for an earthy, gritty but simultaneously light mood. The goal is to pull the gaze deeper into the canvas, enveloping it, and out again, viewing it as a whole. I paint to make something beautiful, rich and full of texture. Something to bounce off of and to be grounded by. I am playing with abstract landscapes and abstract florals. These themes offer a playful way to break objects down to shapes and color blocks that create a whimsical view. I know I need more whimsy in my life. A place to escape sometimes. These pieces offer that to me.
Pattern is really exciting to my senses. It prickles like electricity in my soul when I am incorporating it into my paintings. It is a more complex piece of the image puzzle to try and make sense of while viewing the art piece. I like to make my own patterned papers or use vintage wrapping paper, which are then cut out and applied to the piece, or I paint the patterns onto the canvas directly.
About the Artist:
Trisha has been joyfully making art since grade school, when she found her first “How to Draw Comics” book and with it a love of creation. She has her degree in education and art from George Fox University and University of Washington. Trisha has been a teaching artist in and out of the classroom with Pratt, Powerful Schools, Seattle Public Schools, The Community School and many other venues over the years. She is on the Tukwila Arts Commission and also shows her art regularly. She resides in the South End with her husband, son, and daughter, by a creek, some trees and an airport.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these pieces please email me at : trishagilmore@yahoo.com
If you would like to be on my newsletter list and first to be notified of shows and new work, sign up at my website: trishagilmoreart.com.
Peaks - acrylic collage, 16"x20", $325
Focus On The Flowers and Not The Shape Of The Bottle - acrylic collage, 24"x24", $600
Black Swan - acrylic collage, 30"x24", $650
Shedding Skins - acrylic collage, 24"x24", $600
Tree Seed - acrylic collage, 30"x36", $750
Fronds Floating - acrylic, 11"x14", $220
Mood Board - acrylic collage, 20"x24", $500
Cabana Vase - acrylic collage, 20"x24", $465
Post Card View - acrylic collage, 36"x48", $1200
You’re a new addition to the crayon box: what color are you?
My favorite color that I would love to be in a crayon box is that Retro - Bright Orange-Red color you find on old items. I have a small cabinet in my kitchen that is that color and it gives me such good feelings whenever I look at it.
What is your earliest memory of art?
My earliest memories of art is when I was in 4th grade and had gotten my hands on those "How to Draw Cartoon", books. I would use all my extra time in the classroom drawing those cartoons. I loved that I could draw something that was recognizable to people.
What led you to become a practicing artist?
I have been practicing art since 4th grade, but it always seemed impractical to do full time (I believed what society said and that I would not be able to earn a living doing it). I decided 2 years ago I was not going to listen to that anymore and instead do what I loved, which is paint and show as much as humanly possible!
A Lot of your work feels like abstract still lifes. What inspires you to create this style of work?
I like to paint abstracted still lifes because I love the openness of flowing from items people have sitting in their house or garden to organic, bright shapes with an infinite amount of textures. It is still something a person can recognize and connect with, but in a different way! You can go from, is that a flower or is it a striped triangle? It does not matter if it is fun to look at.
What is your favorite part of painting/collage?
My favorite part of painting are those first drawings of composition on the canvas and then furiously breaking up the space with shapes, paper, and loose paint marks. I would also say I love the puzzle of making the piece work and figuring out what does and does not work. I guess I love every stage of making a piece!
Name three artists you look to.
Three artists I love looking at and being inspired by right now are: Ivon Hitchens, Spencer Shakespeare and Elisabeth Cummings. Pinterest is my friend!
What is your go to material to create with?
My go to material to create with are acrylic paints, white chalk, oil pastels, vintage papers, painted paper and graphite. A lot of everything pretty much! I like creating on canvas because it's more permanent than paper and less pricey than wood panels.
Talk to us about vintage paper! How do you use it in your work? Where do you find it?
I love vintage paper! I have been a vintage nut since raiding my grandpa and grandma's closet when I was in high school! I am in love with the different, retro colors and patterns that immediately inform you that they are old! I guess I love nostalgia! Part of the whole creating process starts for me with hunting for vintage wrapping paper and wallpaper at thrift stores and Estate Sales. This also goes for fabric, but I have not painted on fabric yet. That is on my future projects list.
What does a typical studio day look like for you?
A typical studio day starts with a huge cup of coffee, going down the stairs to my basement studio and sitting and evaluating what needs to be worked on that day. I typically have about 3 pieces I'm working on at a time. I like bouncing from one piece to another. It keeps me from getting bogged down on the details so fast. Everything is always still out from my last session so it is easy to re-engage quickly. I try to work from 9-12 then I take a lunch break and then work another couple of hours. My last hour is suppose to be for administrative tasks, but I'm good at putting those off.
How did quarantine change your practice?
Quarantine changed my practice by giving me more time to paint! I loved being stuck at home and pushed into my studio (I did not love the reason though). I also went on lots of walks which gave me great inspiration from the nature around me. I have not been able to show in any physical spaces for awhile though and that has been rough.