Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Handal
Gabriela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born in the Republic of Panama. At around 20 years old I decided I would like to make a career as an artist, so I went to the Ganexa University of Art in Panama, where I got my undergraduate degree, and then I earned a Master of Fine Arts degree at the New York Academy of Art. The latter one happened in 2015.
For the most part I have used drawing as a medium, but before, and during my undergraduate studies I tried other tools to produce work, such as oil painting, and acrylic. During my second year of study at the New York Academy of Art, I completely focused on drawing, and I have almost exclusively used graphite, and charcoal over paper since then.
Earlier in my production, the subject matter I was attracted to was fantasy art, legend, and mythology, and though now I still like those themes, I tend to focus more on the human figure in general, particularly portraiture.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been a smooth road in that I’ve been able to try many different things, and I do like trying different things. It has also been smooth in settling into drawing with charcoal, and graphite, because I didn’t have to force myself into using those materials, through the same experimentation, I just ended up using those two more, and more, until I was only using them.
It has been maybe more difficult in terms of showing the work. I never was very adept at showing my work in my home country, and I think it’s because I never stuck to anything in particular for long enough. I have a bad tendency to be impatient, so I kept trying different things to try to sell work instead of perhaps creating an association with a subject matter, for example, and have people slowly know I did that.
In New York, I find it much easier, because there are so many opportunities to which to apply, and submit work. In this case, as long as I keep producing work, and keep submitting to open calls, it’s just a matter of time until my work gets accepted into any number of shows. I find this much easier, and there’s not even much need for organization on my part.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a visual artist, I’m a draughtsman, and I specialize in the human figure. I would say my work is known for the thoughtful depiction of the human figure, particularly the portrait.
I am proud of both of those things.
My work is set apart by the depiction of the human figure with great respect for the Mother Nature who made us.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My admiration of the human body spills over into the considerable enjoyment of exercise, and movement. Also the exploration of dietary experiments in order to find the foods, which make the systems within me function expertly. For about a year, and a half now that has been beef, bacon, and most animal products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gabrielahandal.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabrielahandal/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielaHandalArte
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/handalgabrielai
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GabrielaHandalArt
Image Credits
Picture of myself is a self-portrait I took with my phone, and all four drawings are made by me.