"Gayle is a professional artist who is very committed to her craft. She attended Emily Carr University immediately after graduating high school. Her determined attitude got her in many exhibitions and she had two solo shows by age 23. That year, 2010, she painted herself into getting tendinitis. Her main passion is for painting, but it doesn't end there. When it comes to picking music I can always rely on her to get some great tunes from any decade. She's always had an innate talent for music, and even writes and sings for our band. Although at first she was too timid to sing in front of just me, when she gets on stage now she can interact with a crowd of strangers and create a positive atmosphere. Even though she works so hard at keeping herself busy she always has time for the people around her. She's a happy and confident woman, and her assertive attitude has a certain friendly warmth to it.
Even though we have a lot in common when it comes to personality, it seems like she has a different perspective on the world around her. I can't say I'm shocked at the way she can solve problems sometimes. Being in a relationship with Gayle is quite the experience. Her wit and charm always keep me laughing, and I'm happy to have her as my best friend."
-Justin Symonds
The Proof
01 This is a piece that I painted live for a charity event. Its Justin’s eye.
02 Justin and I at a recording studio while waiting for our band “No one like you” to be edited. We are half the members of The Strangest Days. You can download it for free here: www.reverbnation.com/thestrangestdays .
03 Here is my best friend at Buntzen Lake Reservoir (my favourite place in the GVRD). We loved to hike up the mountains and in the summer swim together there. He had an amazing presence that I will always hold dear to my heart. Bear Arnold 2001-2012.
04 Here I am with my mom, dad, brothers, and their girlfriends. I’m the baby of the Arnold family (my dad was the youngest of his generation as well). My big brothers mean the world to me.
05 My amazing parents. This photo was taken in Maui on a family holiday. They are two of the most gentle and loving people I know. They started with nothing and worked their butts off to become extremely successful and I am proud to have them as my parents.
06 This is my cat, Kitten, in my studio. As you can see, he is a great model.
07 Here is a shot of one of my storage shelves in my studio. My novels, sketchbooks, oil and acrylic paints and mediums are shown.
08 Here is a shot of my band, The Strangest Days. I am blessed to be in a band with three very talented individuals. Photo by Derrick Chesterton.
The Questions
What neighborhood do you live in?
I live in Coquitlam, a suburb of East of Vancouver.
What do you do and where?.
I work from home as a Professional Artist, but I have started a second occupation as “Art teacher” in Vancouver (multitasking is something I’ve always enjoyed). My second solo exhibition Regardez-Moi was completed during a residency in Montréal, and I was in a group exhibition in Toronto. I would like to continue showing around Canada.
What are you working on?
Commissions, organizing and participating in events, teaching, leading the band to a record and more gigs, and a series about fashion marketed to China.
Where can we find your work?
