We were lucky to catch up with Leona Gamble recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Leona thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I truly feel I’ve been blessed with the perfect blend of left and right brain influences, thanks to the harmonious balance of science and art in my upbringing. My father, a micro marine biologist, and my mother, a passionate artist, provided me with the best of both worlds.

My mother, with her artistic spirit, played a pivotal role in shaping my creative journey. From a young age, she encouraged me to explore the realms of painting, drawing, and creation, allowing my heart to lead the way. Growing up, our home was a sanctuary for a diverse array of creatures, a testament to her deep love for animals. Stories abound, from a Raven named Sherman to an abandoned newborn lamb from the migrating herds in the hills behind our home. Stray cats and dogs, found a haven with us, becoming cherished members of our family.

My parents, through their shared love of nature and animals, fostered an environment where I could express myself in myriad ways. This unique upbringing not only fueled my artistic pursuits but instilled in me a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of life and the beauty found in both the scientific and artistic realms. It is this harmonious fusion that continues to shape my life and career, creating a canvas where curiosity and creativity coexist.

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.

I am Leona Gamble, a fine artist specializing in figurative oil paintings. My work serves as a reflection of the unexplored spaces within myself, akin to a stealthy cat navigating a tree line, revealing both wounds and remedies. Living with prosopagnosia, or face blindness, I channel this challenge into my love for painting people, aiming to peel away metaphorical masks and unveil the truth that lies beneath. While I hold a deep appreciation for sculpture, it’s in the nuanced world of oil painting that my soul finds its home.

Beyond traditional canvases, I’ve extended my creative exploration to crafting sculpted “bone” masks, symbolizing my belief that our internal foundations become our external exoskeletons.

My recent painting series, Transitions, delves into the intricate layers within each of us, blending contemporary realism with contemplative naturalism. Juxtaposing inner mindscapes with outer landscapes, I weave emotions, dreams, and memories into each piece. This interplay mirrors the complexity of the subconscious against the clarity of the natural world.

Proudly an emerging artist with a BFA, my creations have found homes in private collections across the United States and internationally. What sets my work apart is the deliberate unveiling of the intricacies of the human experience, where the wound and the remedy coexist harmoniously. I invite you to join me on this artistic journey, where the unseen becomes seen, and the layers of our existence are laid bare on canvas.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

There is a distinct mission propelling my creative journey—I doggedly seek truth in my paintings. For me, a piece is not merely finished when it meets technical standards; it attains completion when it resonates with the inherent truth of the subject or person.

Throughout my artistic career, there have been instances where I’ve painstakingly crafted paintings only to realize they lacked the authenticity and truth I aim to capture. In those moments, I’ve chosen to destroy these seemingly complete works, some with thousands of hours of work invested in them. I view them not as failures but as fertile ground for new ideas. It’s a process akin to gardening, where the energy invested in the discarded painting becomes the nourishment for the growth of fresh concepts.

The act of destroying a work in progress is a deliberate choice, a commitment to the pursuit of genuine expression. This continuous cycle of creation and deconstruction, much like a gardener tending to a vibrant landscape, breathes life into my work.

In essence, my goal is not just to produce aesthetically pleasing art but to cultivate a garden of authenticity, where the truth of the subject and the narrative unfolds with every creation. It’s a labor of love, a journey of exploration, and a commitment to uncovering the profound truths that lie within the human experience and the world around us.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist transcends the mere creation of aesthetically pleasing pieces. It’s about encapsulating truth holistically within my work—the unfiltered beauty, the poignant pain, and the raw, sometimes uncomfortable, elements that contribute to its essence. Every stroke on the canvas is an exploration of the multifaceted nature of truth, not just in its pristine form but in the amalgamation of both the exquisite and the challenging aspects that define it.

Delving into the depths of my subject matter, I find profound satisfaction in peeling back layers, exposing the wounds and the remedies that coexist within the narrative. This pursuit of truth, even in its less conventionally beautiful forms, allows me to create art that resonates authentically with the human experience.

Equally fulfilling is the knowledge that my creations have the power to reach others on an emotional level. Beyond the visual aesthetics, my art becomes a conduit for shared sentiments, connecting with individuals in ways that transcend the boundaries of language. To evoke emotion, to stir contemplation, and to leave an indelible mark on the viewer’s heart—that, to me, is the second most rewarding aspect of being a creative.

In essence, the fulfillment lies not only in the creation of art but in the profound impact it has on both myself and those who engage with it. It’s a journey of truth-seeking and emotional resonance, a testament to the transformative power of genuine expression.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.leonagamble.art
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonagamble.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeonaGamble.art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonagamble

Image Credits
Leona Gamble