Check Out Gabriela Aguilo’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Aguilo.

Hi Gabriela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m about to turn 60 and have been building my artistic voice since my 20s. I began as a small clothing designer for the entertainment and music industry, making one-of-a-kind art to wear for Fleetwood Mac, Paula Abdul, Ozzie Osborne, New Kids on the Block, Montell William’s, and others as well as many soap opera celebrities. This afforded me time and money to educate myself in my fine art endeavors. I have worked in glass, made jewelry and painted for years. About 22 years ago, I began to work in stone as wall sculpture in collaboration with Jeremy Firehammer. This evolved my visual language and gave me a following of patrons interested in my work. About 10 years ago, I switched mediums to encaustic painting because I was craving color, a different kind of expression, and the freedom painting gives me visualy. If I can imagine it I can paint it. The last 10 years have been spent in the exploration of that expression. Who am I, and what do I wish to say? Big questions that need time, an ability to feel deeply, and the courage to express it to be answered truly?

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
There is no passion without stress. To truly wish to take the risks and leaps required to become an artist is my desire, but it has not always been easy. Certainly, the economic downturns, 911, and the personal losses of my life have made it clear that being an artist is not easy. With that said, I would have it no other way. Truly, it is who I am. I am called to this loving, devoted, daily practice of my passion. This journey has taught me who I am. It reveals to me how much I want it. It points me in the direction of fully becoming myself, however unknown and uncomfortable that may feel. I realized along the way that everything I know, whether good or bad, is still in the way of who I am becoming. Art is an empty-handed leap into the abyss.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My paintings are made from encaustic mixed media. Encaustic is beeswax with a small amount of resin to stabilize it. This technique gives my work a dreaminess and adds mystery to my painted images. I like it because it corresponds to what I am trying to express. My work is informed by the visuals in my dreams. I have followed my dreams and learned from their wisdom for 35 years. Each dream we remember meets us with a cinemagraphic experience that tells us a story and allows us to experience our feelings about that story. It gives us wise and loving information about what we do not know and need to know about ourselves. I use the symbols, ideas, and personal truths I have gained from this journey to express my heart and soul through my art. It can be scary and revealing, but it allows me to show up authentically and in my peculiar way that is entirely me.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
There have been many people that have helped and taught me much throughout my career. Certainly, my teacher/mentor, Marc Bregman, who has guided me on the archetypal dreamwork journey to discover who I am, has helped me understand how important it is to be authentic. Also, I do a show in Scottsdale, Arizona, called the Celebration of Fine Art Show, from mid-January to the end of March every year. It’s a wonderful affair! Half artist in residency, half pop-up gallery. There is constant interaction with patrons and also 99 other artists. This has helped me know how to speak about my work and inspired me to push for a conscious understanding of my creative process and expression. The galleries that represent me are significant as well! Grace Renee Fine Art Gallery in Carefree Arizona, Mirada Fine Art Gallery in Denver, and Ramey Fine Art in Palm Desert. These well-built relationships are fruitful territory of guidance, insight, and support. As our mutual business grows, so does the trust in their input and our friendships. Very important! The wonderful patrons who fall in love with my work enough to bring it home are instrumental in all the learning! The conversations that lead to me connecting with them and, over the years, building friendships are dear to my heart and show me I’m on the right track.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Gabriela_y_aguilo
• Facebook: Gabriela Aguilo

Image Credits
Sara Hertwig (photographer for my head shot)