Deborah Gavel

July 2024

My method is to layer wet over dry. I like to paint slowly and mindfully, as a meditative practice. My process is to spend time in the action of observation in nature and then in the ritual of making. I have worked on a series of medium and large pieces over a period of thirteen years: Plant, Animal, Mineral.

The process of layering oil, wax, metallic leaf is analogous to the passage of seasons in nature and a piece doesn't feel quite complete unless I have been with it over a period of time, sometimes years. Developments may happen, discoveries may surface over time and with a patient hand --that would not happen otherwise--this is a gift from spirit.

In these current paintings I am using silver leaf and gold leaf. In the process of creating, I am cultivating patina on the silver. The edges sometimes "paint" themselves into a pattern of tarnish that is naturally beautiful. In several silver leaf pieces, I am allowing the patina time to darken. In some areas of the new small mineral works, I cover the patina with varnish when it reaches an optimal expression.

There is not one final image to these metallic paintings, because the light dancing across the surface is always changing. They are reflective, the surfac...

MFA in Painting, University of New Mexico
MA in Painting and Art History, University of New Mexico
BFA in Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design

Please see my complete CV at www.deborahgavel.com