Get to Know Gwen

I am a self-taught paper collage artist who is drawn to themes of beauty and heartfelt connection. Raised in a creative household, I grew up surrounded by art, making and exploring alongside my 10 siblings. Today, I create collages inspired by the natural beautify of the places I call home.

My process is intuitive and hands-on. I search for images and textures, I cut, arrange, and reimagine fragments from magazines to create scenes of ocean calm, rural charm, and the wonders of the natural world. Each collage begins with an idea- often inspired by the everyday scenes, places, and people I interact with. Not every subjects fits my chosen medium; some, like gardens, resist translation (so far) while others such as mountains or butterflies come alive easily in paper. I know I piece is finished when my internal companss says it's complete. It's a feeling, a quiet sense of "yes."

My hope is that my art offers viewers and collectors a moment of connection - that quiet, full feeling of returning to the heart.

EDUCATION

Naropa University - Liberal Arts College in Boulder, Colorado

St. Cloud State University - St. Cloud, Minnesota

St. John's University - St. Cloud, Minnesota

EXPERIENCE / SKILLS

Portrait Artist in Soft Pastel 1997-2003

Art Teacher to Inspiring Young People 2006-2017

Painter 2007-2016

Paper Collage Artist 2016-Present