Gail A. McFarland artist
Gail A. McFarland is a surrealist painter. Her mixed media artworks incorporate paper, pastels, oil, acrylics, and spray paint. Gail’s choice of materials is determined by the techniques she wants to use and the end-result she wants to achieve. Her primary subjects are women. “I want to celebrate the strength and wisdom of the female.”
Her work often pushes the boundaries of art with her Surrealist style creating a dream-like world of the female experience. Gail juxtaposes real and implied texture with organic forms creating a very unique style.
She focuses on exploring womanhood, celebrating female strength and wisdom. “I do have personal symbolism in my work, but I want the viewer to interpret my work by projecting their own story into my work.”
When asked why do you paint. She simply responded, “I paint to nourish the human soul”.
Gail studied art at the University of Colorado where she concentrated on drawing the human figure, and painting. She has always been drawn to the diversity of the human physique, and that enjoyment was a natural precursor to her career as a figurative artist. After U.C. , she continued to follow her passion in art as an educator and artist.
Gail’s studio overlooks the Superstition Mountains range located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Many of her pieces include the Superstition Mountains range, birds and animals from the west, along with western icons and symbols. “ I love the desert! It is not only the warm weather but it’s unique combination of peace, and natural beauty, the stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and opportunities for outdoor recreation almost year long. I enjoy star gazing with the clear, dark skies that make for incredible opportunities to view stars.”
Gail is the youngest of five children. Being a child of a military father; she was born in Germany and spent her first six years there. Every opportunity her family explored the castles, museums, landscapes, and forests of Germany. Gail’s favorite outings were those to art museums. She remembers always getting in trouble for being fixated on a work of art and not keeping up with the rest of the family as they moved from painting to painting. She loved studying the brushstrokes, use of colors, and the way artists used values in their paintings. As an adult she still studies works of art with the same enthusiasm and sense of awe she had as a child, and her art reflects that continued enthusiasm and sense of awe. Going to art museums is an important outing for Gail. “I go to art museums for education and inspiration, to appreciate diverse art forms and cultural heritage, and for mental health benefits like stress reduction and a sense of calm.”
Being a child of a military father, Gail moved a lot. When she was six, the family transferred back to the States; Gail has lived in Georgia, Texas, Nebraska, Virgina, New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.
Gail received her BA in art at the University of Colorado and her Masters from the University of Phoenix. She worked in public education for 30 years. During this time, she taught honors drawing and painting. After she retired, she devoted her time to being a professional artist. “All my life I have been doing art. As an art teacher I had to teach different styles and mediums. When I retired, I wanted to focus on communicating a deeper message in my art. I wanted to strengthen my artistic voice and vision. This process was not easy. It took me a good year and half to land on a style I was happy with. My subject matter and theme allows me to express my life experiences allowing me to go beyond a surface-level idea and take the viewer on a journey, creating a more meaningful experience.”
