November’s cover artist is the Venezuelan-Australian, Caracas-born, Brooky-based, ever-smiling firecracker of abstract artistic Latina oomph and vivacity, Marisabel Gonzalez, whose “Oh yeah!” cover artwork is the perfect mood to guide us from lockdowns and into freedom.
What’s your favourite beach on the Northern Beaches?
Dee Why has always been close to my heart. We were welcomed here when we moved to Australia 14 years ago. My kids went to school in Dee Why and we lived there for many years. I’ve seen its community grow and change through the years and have developed beautiful friendships in the area.
What’s the best thing about the Northern Beaches?
Community, community, community! Also, living in a holiday destination is a massive plus.
What inspired your cover artwork?
“Oh Yeah!” is part of my latest series of works and responds to moving my studio to the Brookvale industrial area. “Oh Yeah!” is a call to embrace the change and the challenge of moving out of our comfort zone. It’s a call to just do it!
What inspires you in general?
I’m an artist, a mother, a wife, a doctor, a sonographer, a dog lover, and a big believer in things that are greater than us. Everything that I am and everything that surrounds me is channeled into my art.
How would you describe your art?
Colourful abstracts.
How did you discover you had a gift for art?
I don’t remember ever living without some form of art in my life. I was always good with my hands as a kid, and I enjoyed creating things. I would sew clothes and make gifts. Then as a teenager I started in the pottery wheel and took formal oil painting lessons. I was also good on the guitar!
Do you have a favourite part of the artistic process?
For me the whole process is a wonderful and addictive experience. The beginning owes its beauty to the freedom that encompasses working on a blank canvas. This is the stage of endless possibilities, when my marks are very expressive and exhilarating. The middle layers require a lot of insight and quiet reflection. This provides a space for self-awareness and a back-and-forth questioning process. And finally the end is when the magic happens. It all comes together, and the feeling of completion is pretty rewarding.
What else are you working on at the moment?
A new series which will be released very soon. Part of these works will be presented at different exhibitions during early 2022 and part will be incorporated to my website and available for collection directly from my studio. I am also planning my Open Studio Day Series for 2022.
How can people buy and support your artwork?
You can find my available works on my website www.marisabelgonzalez.com I also publish some on Instagram and Facebook. Drop me a line if you are interested in anything. I LOVE working on commissions.
What advice would you give yourself as a young artist?
“You can’t expect to eat the fruit the same day you plant the seed.” I’m a very impatient person. Sometimes I’d get frustrated in my journey when I didn’t see results quickly, but today I understand that if you put the effort in, results always come at the right time.