Gail Liston has been involved with Outcast Productions and other theatrical work on Whidbey for several years. She has done professional acting for international movies and for several theater groups, including work with WICA and the Whidbey Playhouse. But after many years associated with theater, in the last five years she is focusing more on her work as an artist. She says, “With so many artists and exhibits on Whidbey, I have become increasingly interested in developing my painting skills.”
She says she has been drawing all her life and studied costume design in college, but it was her move to Whidbey and encouragement from her husband, Brian Plebanek, that stimulated her desire to learn techniques and expand her painting skills.
Gail and Brian met in high school, but went their separate ways after they graduated. They reconnected at a 20 year class reunion, and their relationship blossomed. They were married in 2002. After they decided to move to Whidbey, they created a unique wine shop in Freeland, called Vino Amore. They owned the business from 2002 – 2015, but decided it was a lot of work and stress, and they decided to close the wine shop. Brian is now commuting to a job in Seattle, and Gail is exploring ways to develop and improve her art.
Gail took painting classes from several of the professional artists on the island including Liesel Lund, Dion Madsen and Cary Jurrians. She learned new techniques and she keeps working on ways to envision her ideas. As she was exposed to the works of these professional artists, she began to have stronger thoughts: “I think I could do that.” She feels that the more she learns, the more her work is becoming unique and exceptional.
She notes, “I thought I needed to find my style, but my style found me.” Her theatrical work has influenced her art: “I like theatrical-looking art, views of dramatic scenes.” She is also finding that the more she paints, the more engrossed she becomes in what she is doing.
Gail is currently working out of her studio in Clinton, a space shared with five other artists, who support each other in developing their skills.
Gail has been chosen as one of two guest artists at Artworks Gallery in Langley for the month of August. She met Nancy Cheeseman at Artworks Gallery, when she was painting at Studio 106. Nancy invited Gail to be at guest at Artworks.
It is her first time exhibiting her work in a gallery, and she is immensely pleased for this great opportunity. Stop by and see her work at Artworks Gallery.
