Gayle Doll, artist-in-residence at Red Barn Studio Museum from May 7-11, is a graduate of McPherson College’s Art Department. She considers herself primarily a watercolorist and beautifully captures landscapes through shapes and patterns, drawing inspiration from her former quilting days influenced by her grandmother. Exploring the intersection of her past and present, Doll plans to continue experimenting with abstract landscapes, offering viewers a whimsical yet identifiable experience.
Doll intends to experiment with unconventional techniques during her residency, including incorporating sewing into her watercolor pieces. Intrigued by the idea of creating large pieces of work, something few watercolorists do, she aims to spend time out in the Lindsborg community (weather permitting) taking pictures and creating smaller paintings en plein air and then stitching together the smaller paintings into larger compositions, a process reminiscent of the quilting process.
For Doll, this residency represents more than just an opportunity for artistic exploration; it’s a chance for introspection and contemplation. After dedicating herself to teaching and raising a family, her painting has always felt rather self-indulgent, and is now interested in how she can use her art to make life better for others.