We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gail Ragains a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gail, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

My mother was an artist her entire life. Growing up I can remember the smells of turpentine, the sketchbooks and artbooks throughout the house, my dad building frames for her large canvases. Having 4 kids didn’t stop her from making art a priority in her life. When we were toddlers she would put us in a playpen so she could pull out her easel and paint everyday. At the end of her life she had dementia and couldn’t remember what she did 5 minutes ago, but she was able to pick up a charcoal pencil and draw from life like she had done decades before. During this time I hired a model to come and sit, and we would draw together. Her abilities as an artist remained with her throughout the dementia decline, and ultimate death. Art was a stronghold in her life.
Both my parents were accomplished athletes as well. My dad played tennis his entire life. His approach to tennis, as well as life, was practice your serves, ground strokes, forehand, backhand over and over to perfect the technique, but to win the game you need to improvise, take risks, and put passion into the game. Be in the zone. I take that same idea to the canvas. My parents were examples of living life as an artform.

Gail, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in the SF bay area. My mother as I mentioned earlier was an artist. My family was very competitive and athletic. Family gatherings usually involved some sort of physical competition; a ping pong tournament, or who could run a mile the fastest. On my parents 50th wedding anniversary it was push ups, and of course the parents were participants. As a child my artistic expression was manifested through gymnastics, ice skating, dance. Throughout my 20’s I competed in triathlons. I was living life in a physical way, until I became very sick. I was diagnosed with Crohnes Disease in my late 20’s and my life changed drastically. I was in and out of hospitals, I was weak and I was in pain, not to mention the medications and their side effects . This is when I turned to art. I went from a beginning drawing class to life drawing. I was hooked. I was able to express movement, strength, and emotion through the charcoal and paper, rather than my physical body. Art became a healer for me at this stage, and thankfully my disease has been in remission for many years now. I feel art continues to work as a healer on my inner soul . I also had a career as a Massage Therapist for 25 years. All of these past experiences play a part into the connection I have with the human form. Ever since my first life drawing class some 30+ years ago I haven’t put the charcoal down. As an observer of art and as an artist, I find the depiction of the human form expresses more emotion than other subjects.
When I am in my studio, I just dive into the creative process, whether I am drawing 1 minute poses with a model, or standing in front of a 5″x5″ canvas. I work quickly and intuitively. I don’t worry about the outcome. I stay open and allow the canvas a direction of its own, I break rules, and take risks. At some point I slow down, I think more, and study the piece for balance in composition, value, and color. I try not to overwork with detail, allowing space for the viewer to fill in with their own story. I want the gestural energy that I start with to be retained to some degree in the finished piece. That gives it life!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Just recently, a random guy walked into the gallery where my paintings are hanging and bought one of my paintings. It was the day before his wedding and it was a gift for his bride ( who has time for that?). She had been following me on social media for years so he knew she would love it. And she did. So much so that they stopped by the gallery on their wedding day, dressed in their wedding attire to thank the gallery owner, and I received a personal message from the bride soon after. This is the kind of encounter that means so much to me.
My art has sold in galleries throughout the US and Canada, and yes, that is rewarding
to know that my paintings hang on walls all over the world.
But, just as rewarding is when I can say “You can have it” to a young art student or individual who can’t afford to buy it. This gesture is guaranteed to bring a smile, inside and out. Well worth it!
I rarely get to meet the people who buy my art, but when I do I just love hearing their stories. What do they see in my painting? How does it make them feel? There is a true connection brought on by a piece of art. How cool is that?

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I always seem to have drive behind my artmaking. It’s just changed over the years. The first decade I was obsessed with learning as much as I could about painting and drawing . During the second decade I continued to learn and I had solid goals to get into the galleries, enter the shows, get my work out in the world, do the business of art. This was a high octane time for me. I was taking care of my aging parents during this time as well. I had tremendous drive then, The period I am in now, lets say post pandemic, I’ve simmered on the “business of art”. I am in just a couple of galleries and I like that. There is less pressure now and the creative process is pure joy! I’m out in my studio and the birds are singing, I’m listening to my favorite music, and my little 13 lb. rescue dog is guarding the squirrels. And I never stop learning!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gailragains.com
• Instagram: gailragains
• Facebook: gailragains