I have always loved to create artwork but a long career in elementary and middle school education kept me from concentrating on it until recently.  After earlier interests in batik and wearable art, I now primarily work with acrylics and collage, alcohol inks, and gelatin printing, My interest in fiber and texture also led me to creating woven free form wall hangings and needle and wet felted art pieces. 

 

My work is predominantly abstract and uses many vibrant colors.  I use paint to represent movement and light and I try to use painting to express feelings. I keep pushing myself to take risks and try new techniques. I use the outdoors to inspire me and my art is greatly affected by what I see, smell, and hear there.  I use a lot of leaves and weeds in my printing.

 

I have used some of my gelatin prints to cover journals and combine with paintings, and have used alcohol inks to create tile trivets and coasters. 

 

In the last four years, I have had my work in juried shows at Kentlands Mansion, Yellow Barn Gallery, Black Rock Center, and Glenview Mansion, to name a few. 

 

My work can be found at artbygailkaplan.com, etsy.com/shop/artbygailkaplan and gkaplanwassell.redbubble.com.