Meet Gayle Faulkner

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gayle Faulkner a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gayle, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

As an academic child and young adult with a degree in Sociology, the idea of an art career was somewhat ludicrous. One day, I literally pulled from the air the idea that I wanted to be an artist. As a self-starter, I took the risk. I had the opportunity to take some workshops from an artist who pulled from me, a part that had never surfaced. In a sense, I found myself, I found my soul.

In my cold dark basement, I worked and practiced late into the night after my children were in bed. Sandwiching my dream between family and work was not easy but I believed that if I worked hard enough, I could make this happen. Watercolor was my medium and the elements and principles of design were my vehicle. Many first paintings were a failure in the sense of a good painting but a success in the sense of learning and moving forward.

Self-confidence comes with believing in yourself. Success is measured in many ways, and it is important to be fluid and embrace things as they happen. At times the adage of taking 2 steps back is true but taking the next step forward is all important. Artists are very vulnerable as they place their work in front of the community. Not all comments are positive but never let that take you down. Others will love your work. Never give up your dream.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Hard work, dedication and some lucky breaks (these are usually a result of my working to achieve a presence in the art world), have allowed me to find some success. I now am working primarily in textural acrylics on canvas. I love sitting at my easel and creating. My paintings are a passionate outpouring of my mind’s eye as my brush and palette knives roam about the canvas. All of the things that I have learned through the years, have become a natural part of my work. It’s always important to build on your foundation. I feel that every painting begins as a precious new baby, tumbling through the terrible twos, flowing through adolescence, stumbling a bit through teenage hood, but emerging as a wonderful adult ready to be a part of the world. It takes love, patience, learning as you go along and never giving up.

I want people to connect with my paintings. With my landscapes, I want them to walk inside, smell the flowers, listen to the birds and feel the breeze as they lean against a tree and just breathe. In our tumultuous world, I want my painting to be a representation of what was, is and will be, as well as a respite for all, as they enter their nest at the end of the day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I think that it is important to define the basics of your dream, constantly educate yourself, and work, work, work. To succeed. you must put in dedicated effort and never let naysayers squelch your dream. Be willing to grow and at times play with a new direction. You can always bring those new skills back and make them your own, Find your own voice. I teach some classes, and I want each student to find their style rather than copy others. Only in this way, can you truly succeed.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

The art world has changed significantly. I used to do national street fairs with success, sending out postcards to previous customers and embracing the weekend of the show as a time to grow my brand, In today’s world, online and AI have superseded. Electronically, things change constantly. You must watch for scammers and separate them from reputable sites. It is important to be published in physical media as well as the internet. I spend hours every week at my computer rather than creating. Not fun but it has to be done.

Contact Info:

• Website: https//:www.gaylefaulknerfineart.com
• Instagram: faulkner.gayle
• Facebook: @gaylefaulkner