PATRICIA THOMAS-GAPSKE, U.S.
ART OF THIS WORLD: Please provide our readers with a background on the different types of art that you make.
PATRICIA THOMAS-GAPSKE: I sculpt figures (nude and clothed) using clay. I sculpt houses with wings. I sketch using a set of favorite graphite pencils that I’ve had for over 20 years. I paint in acrylics when the mood strikes me. I am also trying to become a better photographer. AOTW: What are some of the things that inspire your work? PT-G: The human figure, nature, history, dance, fashion, music, literature and art. AOTW: How long have you been working with the variety of media you use? PT-G: I’ve been working in clay consistently for the past 10 years, all other mediums I’ve worked in for over 20 years. AOTW: Can you describe how the different forms of your work influence each other, if they do? For example, how does your sculpture influence your photography or painting? PT-G: Since I work mainly with the figure I feel that it translates easily between different mediums. I often have to use myself as a model to get certain proportions or gestures correct, photography is very convenient for that. Sometimes if I’m working on a particular piece that might trigger an idea for a self-portrait, which in turn might trigger another, different sculpture to create later. AOTW: Were you trained in each of the areas in which you work, or are you self-taught in any way? PT-G: I have a Bachelors degree in Fine Art with an emphasis in Printmaking, but really I learned a lot of different mediums while in school. I loved ceramics at the time but pursued other interests. After college I took a figurative sculpture class from the local art institute and I was hooked. Creating figures out of clay felt very natural to me. I will say that since that class I’ve taught myself a lot about the nature of clay AOTW: Every artist has a certain way of setting to work. Can you share insight into your creative process? PT-G: If I am sculpting or drawing a figure I have to ask myself why first, what I want that figure to say and how to say it. Clothed or nude? Wings? If so with or without arms? I may have a shape or pose in mind or I have to do some research to find just what I want or combine poses or even pose for the piece myself since I don’t have a model. AOTW: Are you regimented in any way? For example do you draw or sketch daily? PT-G: Usually the first thing I do in the morning is make a cup of tea and go to my basement studio. I will either work on a sketch or a painting first thing, it feels very meditative to me and seems to set the tone for the rest of my day spent there. AOTW: Pick a random day in your studio and give us a idea of what is happening there. PT-G: I always have many different projects in different stages of progress. With clay, I can only work so long on a piece before I need to let it rest and set up. I will then move to either another sculpture or start something else. AOTW: Do you offer your work to the public and if so, through what types of venues? PT-G: I currently have some paintings and drawings that are offered as cards, prints and posters on RedBubble.com. I’m building a website where the public can request commissioned work or buy current pieces for sale. I’m hoping to one day post things on Etsy. AOTW: How do you feel the internet may be affecting the world of art these days? PT-G: I find it fascinating that we can now connect so easily with artists, where as not too long ago many of them seemed out of reach. As an artist myself I am excited to be able to share my art with a much broader audience than those in my immediate area. AOTW: Do you attend gallery openings and if so, what kinds of art do you enjoy seeing? PT-G: Our city has monthly “art hops” downtown on the first Friday of every month that I attend. I also will attend openings at our local art institute. I enjoy seeing all kinds of art, from photo realism to abstract, sculpture, AOTW: Who are some of your favorite artists, past and present? PT-G: Frida Kahlo, Georgia O’Keefe, Gustav Klimt, Mary Frank, Deborah Butterfield, Michael Parkes and Gil Bruvel to name only a few of so many. AOTW: Can you share your hopes and dreams for the future regarding your art and life as an artist? PT-G: I hope that I can always continue to make what I love and not have to worry about its commercial value. Also, it’s always been a dream of mine to work with the disabled or children using art as a form of therapy. As part of that dream, I would love to have another large studio where I could work with those people and hopefully help them create whatever their heart desires. I believe that in art, anything is possible, if you can think it up, I will certainly do my best to make it come to life. AOTW: Are there any significant influences that have impacted how you work or altered the direction of your art? PT-G: I have been very fortunate in that my husband and extended family have supported me in my art endeavors. A few years back I took over half of the basement to set up a studio and my parents bought me an electric kiln. Without the studio and the kiln I would still be reliant upon taking a class to work in clay and fire it. Any one that works in ceramics knows that it’s a huge leap of faith to hand off your work to other people to take care of and fire. I’ve lost many pieces to mishaps in others studios. With a studio and a kiln at home, I have total control over my work and the freedom to create when I feel like it. It definitely has increased my production and future goals as an artist. AOTW: On average, how much time do you spend painting, sculpting, photographing? PT-G: On a daily basis it averages between 4-8 hours. AOTW: What do you think you might be doing career-wise if you weren't an artist? PT-G: Perhaps a baker or a veterinary assistant. AOTW: What are your favorite things to do when not creating in your studio? PT-G: Running, biking, walking, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. I love to bake from scratch, especially decadent chocolate cakes. I like to read novels and browse art magazines. AOTW: Do you have any shows upcoming and if so, where? PT-G: I will be showing at MidTown Gallery, Kalamazoo MI, beginning Dec. 3. It will be part of the December Art Hop. AOTW: What else would you like to tell us about yourself and/or your art? PT-G: My art is always evolving and though you may see the common theme of the figure, how I create it may be completely different from the last. I may do one series in which the figures are clothed, have arms and no wings, and then the next series, the figures are nude, with no arms and have wings. I constantly have ideas to create things that I may never get to so I at least try to sketch them out or write them down so they aren’t lost. My wings are those of a bird, not an angel. I like to visualize my figures as being half human, half bird. I’m a happy, goofy person that enjoys the simple things life has to offer and I always want those around me to enjoy them too. AOTW: Thank you, Patricia. see more of Patricia's work here
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