We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabrielle Lasporte a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Gabrielle, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
I have always identified as a creative – created and all that but I really didn’t know I wanted to do this professionally until my late 20s
When I was in high school trying to figure out what to do for the next steps of my life – I remember talking to the guidance counsellor and looking for “work” that I could do. Going into the art field was never even a consideration for me at the time. I don’t think I understood what that could mean. My parents also didn’t know how to navigate the system per se. We had emigrated from France and as a family just manoeuvred life and learning to live in a new environment.
I also distinctly remember that I didn’t want to get into the creative industry because if I did – I may start to hate art and that wasn’t an option for me. I ended up going to university to be a translator. The universe quickly reminded me that that was not was I was meant to do.
Skip forward many years later. Dead end Customer service jobs, single mom to a 2yr old. Doing art on the side to make ends meet. One day at work, dealing with some bullshit, I remember just hearing a click in my head and the convo in my head went like: “Either you make a move or you are going to lose it on everyone. What do you want to do?”. Shortly after, I applied to graphic design school – I was accepted and the rest is history so to speak.
In insight, I was already approaching my art that way from very early on. (I started a clothing line in my early 20’s – screen printed on t-shirts and would sell them at a local shop. I would draw and sell artwork to my co-workers at my dead-end job.) I just didn’t know where it was leading me. The universe was at work.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Gabrielle Lasporte, Principal of Gxcentrik Design Studio
— Art Director, Surface Designer, Visual Artist, Creator — I identify as creative. (LOL) Anything that has to do with creativity – tapping into – being – expressing yourself- I actively curate it.
I’ve been immersed in the creative world since my early 20s, starting with making and selling art and even launching my own t-shirt line on consignment. Things got official in 2000 when I graduated with a Graphic Design diploma and landed my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer. I’ve had the chance to work in various settings, including small experiential agencies, corporate environments, and retail.
In 2004, I faced a bump in the road when I was let go from my retail Graphic Designer job due to some restructuring. But that setback actually led me to start my own freelance journey. Over the years, my freelance practice has blossomed into a small creative studio where I’m the principal designer.
Now, with more than 23 years of experience in the graphic design and visual communication field, I’ve had the privilege of spearheading and executing numerous creative projects across different sectors, including public, retail, non-profit, corporate, and independent businesses. I’ve poured my expertise into every aspect of visual design and have a broad, diverse skill set that covers everything from brainstorming and production to sourcing, budgeting, and managing creative projects. (https://www.gabriellelasporte.com/design)
With my extensive background in the creative realm, I’ve naturally found my way into the amazing world of Surface Pattern Design, where I craft art that can be beautifully applied to various products. My services have grown to encompass the creation of one-of-a-kind patterns and visuals for all sorts of consumer goods in the retail industry. Think fabrics, homewares, packaging, clothing, lifestyle products, and so much more!
This past July, I introduced a Branded Pattern Design service tailored specifically for entrepreneurs. It’s all about adding a unique touch to your brand through captivating patterns.
(https://www.gabriellelasporte.com/surface-design-pattern)
I am also a multi-disciplinary artist with over 25 years experience in the creative world.
From small works of art to full size installations, I create in a variety of mediums, including modern batik (dyes on fabric using wax resist), pyrography, ink, digital (and more). I love to come up with unique ways to express myself creatively while sharing my messages of authentic expansion, growth and creation. I have created many installations in the public art realm and ephemeral art installations for various corporate events – engaging viewers on the topic at hand from my creative viewpoint – discussing those expressions and my artist mandate within curated spaces.
https://www.gabriellelasporte.com/art-installations
When it comes to the services I provide, the main thing I want people to remember is that I am creative and able to come up with visual solutions. I have sectioned them off into 4 main categories to make it even easier for people: Branding: Creating a unique and memorable identity for businesses. Surface Design: Creating beautiful patterns and designs that can adorn a wide range of products. Design: Graphics to layouts and Art: Creating standalone art pieces that speak to viewers. At the end of the day – for me, the sky is the limit in what I can do. There is always a visual solution and I will always find what it is – whether it is for myself or for my clients.
https://www.gabriellelasporte.com/workwithus
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I love offering a different perspective on art. It really is from my viewpoint but the more I share my thoughts and visuals – I find that people tell me that they really connect to it. I think that when we create – as creatives, we think we are alone in our thoughts and ideas. When we share those ideas, concepts – ultimately our mandates as artists, we come to understand that many other people feel the same way. We are just privileged enough to be able to express it in a visual way.
I produced a show in 2021 that was a culmination of a series that is dear to my heart. Called Goddess Flex – The art of self love. This series showed all my work that revolves around womanhood, expansion, learning – (re)learning. I ended up writing down my thoughts around each piece that I had created. I had many women come to me to tell me how much it moved them and how they felt understood. To me – that is the power of my work. To be able to show people the things they feel are real and not exclusive to them.
This helps me expand my own story and continue to explore the subject. I love it.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
As creatives – I think that we are constantly pivoting to adapt to the industry, to the flow of life. This is especially true when you are an entrepreneur / freelancer
For me – a major time of pivot was in 2020. It was a difficult time for all creatives. For many of us, this life changing event forced us to look at our practice, what we did and how we made a living.
I had many jobs cancelled. School art workshops / Hospitality design jobs. The list went on.
Because I had so much time on my end, I started teaching myself how to create patterns.
I was doing the patterns in modern batik initially. I then signed up for Skillshare and followed classes, joined groups so that I would learn and understand the fundamentals of pattern design.
To me not only was I adding a skill set but it really was a natural progression to what I do with my work.
I now have a Spoonflower account where I sell my pattern, I use those patterns to create my own merch that I sell on Etsy and I work with small businesses to create patterns to use for their marketing and social media. My goal is to license a pattern with a major brand and to start seeing my work in retail locations.
I am forever excited about what I do whether it’s a logo for a new business, a 40 page deck or creating an installation piece for a space. I love figuring out what’s next in terms of visuals – what my creativity will unleash. Grateful for all of it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabriellelasporte.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriellelasporte/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GabrielleLasporteArtist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabrielle-lasporte-79719a5/
- Fabric Shop: https://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/gabriellelasporte
- Merch Shop: GoddessFlexCollectiv.etsy.com
- ALL : linktr.ee/gabriellelasporte
Image Credits
Headshots Images by Colleen Lam / ig @lammer