July 2009

GIGI LOPEZ

I live in Monaco in Europe. I was born in England to an English father and Spanish mother.

Acrylic amd mixed media on canvas which can include photographs (taken by myself) and other personal artifacts when working on personal commissions.

I am travelling to San Francisco in July and my artist friend Stacy Dynan and I are going to attend a course on Wax Encaustic painting, can't wait!

I remember sitting outside the Museo del Prado in Madrid drawing with a sketch pad and pencil that my Yaya (grandmother) had bought me. We weren't very well off so we could not afford to go into the museum itself but I can remember those times with such fond memories. Spain is fortunate to be able to claim an array of exciting and talented artists even today.

I believe it is both, I am inspired very much by nature but by the same token when you look at a piece of art it can also nurture us...touching us at a very deep level and instill in us some amazing feelings. I am of the view that our paths are mapped out for us as soon as we have been created so therefore I believe that we are born artistic. However once we leave the womb it is up to us as individuals to choose wisely our paths and to develop those skills and so therefore it can be taught and is taught!

Well my father loves singing and for as long as I can remember he has sung and performed with an amateur operatic society in the UK as a hobbie. My mother has always been a dancer (that's where I get it from too!) and my brother Chris Lopez is a photographer in London for the music industry worldwide! So I guess so!

Absolutely! They both love drawing and painting, both have their own easels at home and we paint at every opportunity. My daughter Gabriella says she is going to open a gallery cum coffee shop with me by the beach when she is older - she has been saying that for the last two years! I love that they are both very imaginative.

The years after I left school I spent happily travelling, mainly as a Flight Attendant. Eventually I got married and 'tried' to settle down, through that period I felt that something was missing in my life...I needed to 'escape'. Through certain difficulties at that time I managed to use 'art' as a way of expressing my pain and therefore releasing it - who needs doctors and drugs!!! This was almost ten years ago now and when I look back I can honestly say that 'art' helped me to make those choises I was talking about earlier. I often have people over to paint at my house when they are feeling a bit 'down in the dumps' it's great therapy and my way of giving something back!

It has made me understand about my passion to paint. I approach the canvas without judgement or preconception; without any expectations or fear; without longing for recognition; I can paint with my heart and soul...I can just be ME!

Who said that?! I love my life (even the hard times) and all the interesting places, things and people I have had the pleasure to have come across. I would love to have met Picasso and Dali though!

When I heard my son explain to a friend of his in the back of the car, that his mummy 'is an artist'! I had just had my first solo exhibition in Monaco (2008) and up until then I hadn't really heard anyone call me an artist!

My good friend Shelley called me one morning saying that she was organising a 'house sale' with all of her pashminas etc., from Pakistan and asked if I would bring up some paintings to sell also. I told her that I didn't have any to sell and she told me to bring the ones that were hanging on the wall. So off I went with my three paintings. When she asked me how much I wanted for them I had no idea so she took charge and put a price on them. They all sold!! This was in 2002...Thanks Shelley!

That I have 6 toes on one foot? Only kidding! Gosh I think I am quite an 'open book' actually. That I have bungee jumped?