Written by My name is Gail Juszczak and I live in Southern Wisconsin. I have a bachelor’s degree in Art Education from University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. I was interested in art in high school and found that was my place of comfort and joy. I found peace and also discovered personal confidence and relaxation drawing. My love for art and wanting to share my passion for creative expression led me to become an art teacher.
During graduate school in Architecture, I grew to love watercolor painting. I began to experiment with watercolor washes for my assigned Architectural assignments. From that, I gained more interest and some knowledge of the medium. I always loved nature, gardening and plants and started using my photographs as inspiration to create watercolor paintings. I usually painted at home from the photos and still do using my photographs as inspiration for my paintings.
After working with plants and nature for years, I decided to experiment with other subjects that interested me. A friend of mine, who has been a painter all of her life, hosted a watercolor class that inspired me to look more closely at things unseen and focus on design and color. My series of striped painting resulted with this influence. This class continues to influence my work today.
Now that I am a retired teacher, I have the time to travel and work more intensely on my painting. I have gone through many changes during my painting and am sure I will continue to change with life’s changes. I feel that each of my paintings contain a unique story. I enjoy sharing those stories with others.
I continue to find joy and satisfaction working with watercolors and am proud to be a member of Lake Mills Arts Alliance and Wisconsin Watercolor Society. I have had my work at multiple shows locally, in various places in Wisconsin and at Watercolor USA in 2018.
I love to paint images that have depth. Use of perspective, shadow, layers of color, and both wet on wet paint mixed with clear and bright edges often helps me to complete this illusion. I usually draw lightly for my sketches and leave very little sketch left when the painting is complete. I almost always use Arches cold press 300 pound paper. Red sable brushes are my favorite choice as they hold paint well and last a long time. I often use Da Vinci for my brushes. Quality watercolor paints are also important to quality paintings and I use Daniel Smith Extra Fine Watercolors or Winsor & Newton. I am grateful to have friends and family who support my artistic focus.
Thank you to Doodlewash for the opportunity to share my work and thank you everyone for taking time to read my story! I would love to answer any questions you have or hear your comments, and please do keep in touch at the links below!
Your works are insanely beautiful! Many thanks for sharing and inspiring us!
Wooow your arts are lively can I learn more from you?
These are beautiful. I am especially inspired by your stripes series. They are brilliant examples of rendering soft folds of fabric – something I would like to learn.
Incredibly beautiful paintings!!!
Thanks much!
Amazing work. I am in awe.
How glorious every single one is! I am blown away by the texture in those scarves. Thank you for inspiring me!
Thank you Gail for sharing your story and your stunning art!
Beautiful and unique paintings.
I had to nod when you mentioned “…wet on wet paint mixed with clear and bright edges..”, because it was the first thing I noticed in your work, along with the spot-on control of your values. Your art is stunning! Thank you for sharing your artistic experience with us.
Thanks much! I really appreciate your words and knowlege of the media!
Beautiful!
Gail, your paintings are lovely and so unique! I’m a very new watercolorist, Arches 300# is my favorite also. The softer painting with the branch was my favorite. Do you have a typical size you work with? How long do you spend on a painting on average? Do you paint plein air very often? Do you prefer photographs? Sorry to bombard you with questions, but I try to learn from every artist and your work with stripes was so unusual. Do you have a favorite genre? I noticed textiles, animals, nature–all so beautiful. Thank you for sharing your incredible paintings and story with us!
Fanna Turano
Denver, CO
Thanks for your interest. I often work rather large, usually larger than 12×18″. Time also varies widely depending on level of detail, size and if I really am enjoying the piece. I respect the plen air painters but find that it does not work well for me as I spend too much time on a piece so do use photographs. I have many interests and so my work reflects that. I recently did a painting of my husband which I think turned out well. If you would like to see more please check out my website. It also includes sizes. Or feel free to ask more! gailswatercolors.com
They are so beautiful!
The iris is my favorite. Almost thought it was a photo a friend posted last month. Love your work.
Beautiful work! Thank you for sharing!!
Wow, Gail! You are phenomenal! I love how you painted reflection on water. WOW!
Where did the first painting, the orange flamingos – my favorite, vanish to?
i am glad you liked it. i did sell that one a couple of months ago!
It was in this post in the beginning…
Lovely work. I enjoyed seeing your paintings and hearing your story. There’s an ethereal quality to work that I find very calming.
Thanks for your kind words!
Gail, your story is inspiring and your art is gorgeous and exhibits unique perspectives about the subjects.
These drawings, and paintings are beautiful. It is wonderful to see what a professional can do.
Awesome creations! Great detail and concepts. Talent!
Bravo! Top notch!
Thanks for sharing your work Gail.
Just had to look at your paintings again, Gail. They are ALL so special. The zebras and the flamingo are my favorites. Thank you!!!
Thanks for your comments! I do appreciate them. Please check out my website at gailswatercolors.com if you would like to see more
Did that already. I can’t get enough of your paintings. Have a nice weekend.
Most of my work it for sale. And I would be happy to create a commisioned work as well!