"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add but nothing left to take away." An interesting description of artist Gail Haire's journey into the land of fine art painting. Gail spent most of her childhood in Springfield, IL. She considers herself fortunate to come from an artistic family. However, she considers the art instructors/coaches she worked with as an adult as having the greatest influence on her creativity. Gail states, "My first career was business-to-business sales. Happily, painting is my second career."
"It started with a strong desire to find out if I had any creative ability. I began looking for art instructors and was fortunate to find artists that were equally talented in their craft." Gail continues, "I took workshops and individual lessons for several years. This taught me to 'see' developing my realism painting style with an understanding of color, composition, and form. I work in oils and expanded into watercolor." When asked how she came to live in Arizona, Gail commented, "I've had family in Arizona for almost 40 years. I visited often and always knew I would eventually retire here." She achieved that goal a few years before actually retiring.
Upon arriving in her new home of Scottsdale. Gail joined the Sonoran Arts League, based in Cave Creek, Arizona. League members get together weekly for breakfast to share their work, ideas, resources, and insights. Here, she found the inspiration to move toward an interpretive style in her work that was uniquely her own. She explains the process for one of her pieces as, "I was reviewing pictures from a hike I did in the Grand Canyon. I found I was drawn to the simplicity of the lines, shapes, and the contrasts of light and shadow." Bringing the subject to its most basic shapes and forms became the motivation for Gail's work today.
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add but nothing left to take away."
Gail's oil paintings could be interpreted as a modern-day variation of the iconic Works Progress Administration (WPA), the National Park silkscreen series of the 1930-40s. Simply elegant lines, masterfully composed, brilliantly colored, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Gail's work may be experienced firsthand at On The Edge Gallery in Scottsdale, which provides an opportunity to purchase a piece for your collection. Visit artist Gail Haire's on her social media.
Email: gailhaireart@gmail.com
Website: www.gailhaireart.com
