Lola Gil “We All Come Together In The Story Garden”

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? 

Lola Gil:  This painting is part of a group exhibit with Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles, so therefore the original is unavailable. The show is titled “Pop-Eyeconic” in which each artist specifically draws off of iconic imagery which inspires us. This isn’t far off from the newest body of work i’m creating and will be exhibiting at the end of this year back in Los Angeles after I move back from the United Kingdom.

1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent  theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Lola Gil:  It will set a precedent of what’s to come with all new paintings in my solo exhibit scheduled for December of this year. The theme for the group show made it easy for me to keep in the same mind set. I’ve been working for the past year on works which had me researching what it was that’s inspired me my whole life to be an artist. lola-gil-story-garden-1xrun-iog1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Lola Gil: The original is painted in acrylic on canvas in March of 2014.

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Lola Gil:  Because i’ve been working with this theme anyhow, I wanted to summarize what it is that has been instilled in me to feel motivated and excited to create. I grew up with grandparents who were toy collectors (massive) and a dad who was a cartoonist and muralist. I was obsessed with toys, cartoons, and books. I didn’t realize at the time what a gift that would be. Today I find it easy to draw off of those experiences I had as a kid. With this painting I wanted to use the most inspired iconic figures which touched me. Spock, I love that guy! I used to watch Star Trek with my grandparents. They have endless Star Trek toys, really old collectible figures. I took a few when my grandfather passed away.

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Pinnochio was my first love. I feared lying because of him, and it stuck with me. I lived at Disneyland because I grew up in Southern California. And my grandparents had anything you can imagine Disney related in toys. I have 2 cats in this painting, who represent the siamese cats in Lady and the Tramp. My favorite Disney film.

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Frida Kahlo was a huge influence on me once i was older and slowly became introduced to the real art world. Her story is so tragic and heroic and heartfelt. I relate to her, not by her physical hurdles, but by her NEED to paint. There’s a chemical settling which happens in my brain, that struggles when i’m not working. It’s very much my therapy, and I’m hugely inspired by her having the same practice.

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The Horse is embellished with a tattoo of Judy Garland. I must admit, I love that woman. I wanted to be Dorothy growing up. I wanted my house to fly away and land somewhere new. I dreamt endlessly that if I wished it enough, it could happen. I sang over the rainbow every year at my elementary school talent shows. And of course, i had all the Wizard of Oz toys thanks to my grandparents.. As for the horse, i’ve become obsessed with them. Since moving to England and seeing them everywhere, I’ve grown a love for animals in the countryside. I burst out of the car and go talk with them. I take photos with them to remember the moments. I love them like crazy! You don’t see this kind of thing in southern cali.

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I included Dali on the fireplace mantle. He was my obsession in my 20’s. His talent was mindblowing to a girl who only knew cartoons. He really inspired me to take art seriously. I was lucky enough to go to the Dali museum in florida back in 2009. And i’ll end with the globe. My biggest inspiration of all. Traveling has been something I never thought i’d be able to do. I have been lucky to get the chance to go to Rome, Amsterdam, and England to see museums filled with art that reaches into my chest. I don’t think i can put into words how lucky I feel for this.

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 1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Lola Gil:  This painting took me a month to create.

1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Lola Gil:  It’s a summary of my greatest inspirations.

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1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Lola Gil:  I hope they can relate. What a world it would be if these things could come together. I like to make people happy when they look at my art.

1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Lola Gil: Childhood.

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1xRun: When did you first start making art?  What was your first piece?
Lola Gil:  All my life, thanks to my dad. But I started painting at 13 when my grandfather started buying me canvas. My parents had a struggling relationship by that time, and I was really depressed. He thought it would be a good outlet. He was so right! I still have it! It’s a sun. How funny it is to me now. I hated the sun, growing up in so cal. But since living in England for almost 2 years now, I crave it more than air. It’s something I took for granted.

1xRun: What artists inspired you early on? What artists inspire you now?
Lola Gil:  Early on it was Disney, and Norman Rockwell. All things i saw in my grandparents house. I didn’t know anything about art until I was much older. As for now, Van Eyck, Hogarth, Raebur, Gossaert, Bosch, Utrecht, Kalf, Dali, Sergent, Carvaggio, Vermeer, Bacon and David to name a few.

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1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Lola Gil: I do, but lately it’s got me too emotional! I’ve been feeling way to solitary way over here in England. I miss home, and friends. I was listening to a lot of show toons and old swing to keep my spirits up. But I’ve moved on to documentaries and podcasts. I’m in love with Ancient Aliens. Hahaha, it keeps me company alot as there are so many episodes.

1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Lola Gil:  I would love to work with Todd Schorr. If not just to learn from him. He is marvelous, and meticulous. His art brings me back to my grandparents house, and after looking at his work I can close my eyes and bring back all of those memories of being in their toyroom. Those are the only memories I keep so clear. They are what nurtured my own desire to create. He moves me in a way no other artist does today.  I think to pin it down I’d say Gerard David. He has the most wonderful detailed worlds. I love his works, and would love to see what he did that wasn’t in religious content.

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1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Lola Gil: I’ve never been able to afford art. I’ve been a single parent since my girls were 3 and 5…nearly 10 years now. I put everything I made into our bills, and tried giving them a safe and wonderful place to live. I’ve been lucky enough to do art trades with artists when we were all fresh and shiny.

1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Lola Gil: I have a solo show December 12 2014, space will be announced soon :)

1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Lola Gil:  WebsiteFacebook @lolafineart – Twitter + Instagram @lolagil

-1xRUN