Introduction
Meet Gail E. Marshall Taber, a mixed media artist. After a successful career in banking, Gail found her true passion in the arts, exploring different types of materials. Rooted in traditional art, she specializes in collage, sculpture, beading, and photography. Through her work, Gail uses a combination of media and a range of materials. She’s not afraid to experiment with bold colors, bringing out the extraordinary from the ordinary and turning everyday life into art. She creates pieces that are as unique and captivating as her own story. Wait till you see her work!
Artistic Origins:
Vicki: “Can you share a story of what drew you to your chosen medium and how your artistic journey began?”
Gail: As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated with art and artists. From my kindergarten tissue paper bunny to sitting for hours with my sister drawing faces of women….with beautiful exaggerated features and hairstyles! Oh, how I wish I could see those drawings now!
Art wasn’t a practical way to make a living in my humble, blue-collar household, so I pursued a career in banking. My BA from Hiram College was in Operations Management, and I later earned an advanced degree from Stonier School of Banking. That career path and those degrees allowed me to retire early with financial security and time to pursue my artistic interest.
Even though I wasn’t making art during my banking years, my husband, Ed, and I have always been collectors of northeast Ohio artists’ work, including Ken Nevadomi, Ralph Woehrman, Audra Skoudas, Scott Miller, and Bill Bouillard, to name a few. I was a frequent visitor to all the galleries in Cleveland and Akron, and, of course, the Cleveland Museum of Art. This obsession was my retreat from my career and what gave me joy. If I had a bad day, I would visit a gallery or a store that had artwork.
I started my art-making with workshops and classes in hand-building clay. Then moved on to sculpting in clay. Torsos with a twist…human bodies with animal heads…or vice versa.
Clay is what led me to my interest in beading and mosaics. The commercial glazes that were available were so disappointing and ugly. I was always trying to find another way to finish my work. I was searching online for workshops and came upon a class in beading. However, the class was the next day in New Jersey so I contacted the artist, Jan Huling, and arranged an 8 hour class in her home in Hoboken, NJ. a few weeks later. She advised me to bring a simple object like a small box to start on. I, however, always the optimist and overachiever, brought a big Winnie the Pooh that was originally a stuffed animal that I dipped in slip and fired in my kiln. He had lumps, bumps, and crevices where the fabric slumped during firing. Thus, my beading passion began. It took me months to finish him. Now Pooh sits happily in my studio and reminds me to stay humble and don’t give up!
Pivotal Moments:
Vicki: “Is there a pivotal moment or experience in your life that influenced your art?”
Gail: Early retirement was really what kickstarted my art-making career. It allowed me the time and financial resources to take workshops in every art medium. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet and be mentored by some amazing, generous art instructors who have since become dear friends. Photographer Laurie Klein, painter Genie Kell, and sculptors Lisa Clague and Kirsten Stingle have been major influences in my development, not just in skill building but with positive feedback and support. Their encouragement gave me the courage to identify as an artist and create.
Another major pivotal moment was being accepted by Summit ArtSpace in Akron as a resident artist. That opportunity was my first real exposure to the public. It was such a privilege and honor to be selected, and I am forever grateful for that. Since then, I moved to downtown Cleveland to the ArtCraft Building in Cleveland. It was another huge moment to be accepted into that iconic location. That building was sold to the city of Cleveland, so I am now at the Cleveland Twist Drill Building with my group called “Artists at the Twist”.
I owe so much to so many talented artists that I’ve met along this art journey, including studio mates, instructors, and peers. I wish that I could name them all. I highly recommend finding like-minded groups to join, such as Artists of Rubber City (AoRC) and Women’s Art League (WAL), both Akron-based groups and Artists Archives of the Western Reserve (AAWR) based in Cleveland. These groups offer support, exposure, and education to artists and people who support the arts. They have been instrumental in my art pursuits.
Finally, I am forever grateful for the love, support, and constant encouragement from my husband, Ed. He never complains about my “collection” of art materials stacked in every corner of our home and garage or my constant traveling, or my single-minded obsession with art, and I never complain about his obsession with golf!
Creative Process:
Vicki: “Could you walk us through your creative process? How did you transform your initial idea into a finished piece?”
Gail: Originally, I started beading to replace glazing on my ceramic sculptures, but I quickly realized that if I had to sculpt and fire my pieces before I beaded them, it would take forever. So, I started scouring Goodwill, resale shops, and ebay to find affordable pieces that needed a new life. Upcycling has become a main source for my projects now. Whether I’m beading on my own sculptures or on a found object, the viewer needs to recognize that these objects are my blank canvas, just like a painter starts with a blank canvas.” Color, composition, symmetry, depth, and balance are all included in my process.
I love to reimagine animal forms with quirky humor, mystery, and a touch of elegance. Sometimes I’m motivated by an upcoming solo show to make a signature piece, such as my “magnificent moose,” or I have particular materials that I love and want to use. Most of my selected substrates are sad, neglected, and abandoned. So I’m motivated by their potential transformations from ugly ducklings to beautiful swans!
I don’t sketch my ideas first because I want the process to be organic. My only plan is my color palette. I always start with the eyes, which are the soul of each piece. This also allows a balanced pattern for the face. I usually use glass eyes that I order from taxidermy sites. I like to use eyes that aren’t “species-specific”. Sheep eyes on a deer or snake eyes on a dog, for example. Then, I outline them with rhinestone chains and glass beads. After the eyes, I move to a central part of the body and create a circular pattern. Then, continue building, adding texture, sparkle, and patterns.
All of my creations include a variety of glass beads, daggers, seeds, bugles, crystals etc., rhinestone chains, ball chains, found objects, buttons, brooches, and textile elements. I try to incorporate a checkerboard pattern and black and white in every piece because I’m obsessed with both, and it brings me joy!
Mosaic elements are another material that gives a totally different texture and pattern. With or without grout, using glass shards and tiles adds so much character to my pieces.
This art form requires a tremendous amount of patience and humility. Each piece takes weeks to months to complete so there is little gratification along the way. I look at my progress at the end of the day and have to be satisfied with the couple inches that I completed. However, the best reward comes when I’ve completed the transformation, and it’s ready for its’ world debut!
Meaningful Creations:
Vicki: “Is there a piece you’ve created that is particularly meaningful to you? What’s the story behind it?”
Gail: My greatest accomplishment to date is my “magnificent moose,” that I mentioned earlier. He was a white resin moose head that I found at Z Gallery before I was a beader. I just loved how regal and proud he was. He had a place of honor in my home for quite a while until I was selected to participate in a 3 person show at 934 Gallery in Columbus. The show was scheduled to open in May of 2022. I decided that the moose would be my signature piece, so I spent 4 months embellishing him. He traveled to and from Florida with me as I struggled to finish him in time! 30lbs of embellishment later, he was finished. My fellow artist helped me hang him, and he made his debut on a beautiful white brick wall in an old, restored building. I was so proud and relieved. It was worth every minute that I spent creating him. Since that show, I was able to show him in several galleries. Each time I hung him in a new location, he would take my breath away.
Creating that piece was humbling. I learned a lot about problem-solving and the limitations of my material and myself. Just this February, he found his forever home. It was really hard to let him go.
Future Aspirations:
Vicki: “Looking forward, what are your aspirations or dreams for your future as a multi-media artist?“
Gail: I’m hopeful that my craft in all areas will continue to grow and challenge me. I want to complete bigger projects and signature pieces. Plus, I plan to continue my art education through master classes and workshops in various mediums.
My art has taken me to so many countries, including Cuba, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Bali, France, and Spain. I’m inspired by my travels and always incorporate some form of artwork while I’m seeing the world. India is my next trip in February 2025.
My dream is to create an installation piece that would incorporate all of my work, including collages, mosaics, ceramic sculptures, beaded sculptures, jewelry, and photography, into a beautiful fantasy land.
Find you:
Vicki: “How can someone contact you to purchase your art?”
Website: http://www.poodleskirtstudio.com
Instagram: http://@poodleskirtstudio
FB: Gail E Marshall Taber
Artists at the Twist
1242 East 49th St., Cleveland, OH 44114
Cell # 216-402-0324
Email: [email protected]
See Gail’s work from May 31, 2024 – July 6, 2024
Gail (Poodle Skirt Studio) is participating in the Lagomorphs: Juried Exhibition at White Rabbit Galleries
571 W. Tuscarawas Ave., Barberton, Ohio 44203
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