Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Gaetz.
Hi Gina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been a creative person. I took my first art class in college my first semester. It was 2d drawing and I knew right away that I wanted to continue to pursue art as a degree. I had no idea where it would lead me, but I continued to explore as many mediums as possible while in school.
After graduating in 2013, I kept sketching and painting here and there but it wasn’t until I rented an art studio space with a few other artists in 2017 that I got back into a consistent painting process. The last few years I have steadily made art a more important and focused part of my life, developing my point of view, process, and perspective.
In November of 2021, I quit my job to pursue being a full-time artist. I now have my own studio in Northeast Minneapolis and look forward to developing routines and systems to make creating art a sustainable, successful and beautiful career. I am proud of myself for taking the courageous step to pursue my dreams of being a full-time artist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The decision to pursue art full-time has not been an easy one. It comes along with a lot of fear, worry, and self-doubt. It is hard taking the leap into the unknown, unsure of if opportunities will continue to arise. Relying on yourself for all of your income is also a mental hurdle that takes time to get used to. There is a lot to learn about budgeting and keeping a positive and hopeful mindset. The support from my friends, family, and community has given me the encouragement to keep pushing forward. To be a successful artist you have to work hard to stay inspired to create while also managing the business side. It’s a balance!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in fluid layers, each one revealing new energy and emotions. My work is inspired by a sense of place, vast landscapes, dreams, and emotions. I combine grounded energy and meditative practices into my artistic process, and I facilitate workshops that encourage creativity and artistic expression. My ethereal paintings work to soothe the mind and help create space for moments of contemplation, softness, and self-study.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
It’s important to keep coming back to the practice of creating and the desire to make stronger and stronger work with more intention and purpose. It is easy to get caught up in and spend time on all of the other things necessary to run a small business (marketing, emails, social media, applications, website, etc), but at the end of the day, come back to the thing that fuels your soul. Have fun, connect with your community, and work to learn more about yourself everyday.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.ginagaetz.com
- Instagram: gina.gaetz.art
- Twitter: @ginagaetzart
Image Credits
Brenna Lightfoot
