Today we’d like to introduce you to Gail Reilly.
Gail, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’ve been an artist my whole life. It’s been encouraged by my father mainly, my mother seemed to be very neutral about the subject unless I was drawing in her books!
I’ve completed several art classes through Pima Community College to compliment my ability to compose and execute my artwork with a refined eye, but most of what I have learned is self-taught through careful study and diligence. This is where being a perfectionist comes in handy.
Fast forward to 2018, I’m no longer coloring the walls of my parent’s house and filling their book’s empty pages with my own depictions. Now I carry out my artwork in a more permanent fashion — through tattooing.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I enjoy painting in watercolor and drawing by hand. My subject matter is heavily based off of Mother Nature. Plants and animals are so pure in their intention and heart, I find them to be my muse in all types of situations especially art.
I tattoo for my livelihood and have been able to meet all types of people I would never have the chance to encounter in my personal art studio. To share an experience with them, to connect to other humans is a gift we seldom recognize. Tattooing is often therapeutic, and can give the wearer a lifetime of joy, which I strive to achieve through every interaction.
I hope my artwork whether it be tattooing and watercolor, evokes an emotion in the viewer. Whether it be excitement, curiosity, or desire. I want to imbue others with beauty they can wear and see in their home. The art of tattooing allows me to shine in a way I never would have been able to otherwise.
Artists face many challenges, but what do you feel is the most pressing among them?
The biggest challenge facing artists today I feel is their ability to operate in a space that is affordable and conductive to their needs. I find that landlords see us artists as a nuisance and unreliable. Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth if the artists are able to create in a comfortable environment.
We see this happening in Tucson today. Local artists have been pushed further and further out from the downtown area to make room for guaranteed profit from students. Unfortunately, we have seen the cleansing of Downtown Tucson take its toll and what was once a creative and art influenced area is now bustling with restaurants and bars run by out of towners.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be viewed mainly through social media, my website, or on a fellow human! I accept commissions for artwork and tattoos through my email address: gail.reilly.mods@gmail.com
Instagram:
Instagram.com/gail_tattoo
Website:
artistrybygail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: artistybygail.com
- Email: gail.reilly.mods@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/gail_tattoo
Image Credit:
These photos belong to, and are credit of the artist.
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