Debbie Carroll Designs: Meet Gina Dunn, A Featured Artist from Artisan Style! Upcoming Show, "Uncommon Ground", March 12th in Dallas

With the upcoming group show at Artisan Style, rapidly approaching, I'd like to introduce fellow artist Gina Dunn whose wonderful work will be feautured!

The theme of the show is "Uncommon Ground" and this title is a perfect description of Gina's art, especially her lovely depictions of trees - a common subject, but presented by Gina with a fresh perspective!

Name: Gina Marie Dunn

Education: BA in Communitcations/Public Relations from Loyola University New Orleans, Minor in Studio Arts

Current City/Hometown: live in Dallas, originally from Brooklyn, NY

Tell me about your work in one sentence. With the subject matter of my paintings varying from cellular abstractions to modern landscapes, there is a dreamlike, organic aspect to my work that pervades.

Describe your normal day. What would your *ideal* day be like? On a "Normal" day, I am up at 6:00 a.m. to get in a run before my husband and three kids are up at 7:30 (I am training for my sixth half marathon), then hubby is off to work and the kids and I spend the morning either hanging out outside if weather permits, playing with toys, or going to and from activities. While the kids take afternoon naps I usually get some time to paint out in my studio. Painting time has been very limited lately with the arrival of our third child just two and a half weeks ago, but I look forward to painting more when the baby gets on a more regular schedule in the next few months. Right now I am just trying to enjoy my kids as much as possible because they grow so fast.

What are your passions? my family, art, yoga, writing

What are your goals? to become an internationally recognized artist

Who are your creative influences? Marc Chagall, Vincent Van Gogh, Joseph Cornell, Frida Kahlo

Are there any other relevant experiences that shaped who you are today and what you do? It is in my blood to create. My mother is an amazing artist who has taught me so much about painting. I still have so much to learn from her. She's the only one in my family who will give me an honest critique! :)

Is there anyone (celebrity, dead, alive, in your life) that you really look up to as an inspiration? While pregnant with my third child, I have painted more than I ever have in my life. The pregnancy was a very difficult one, full of concerns and worries, and to process all of the stressful news we received I took the term "art therapy" to a while new level. I took bouts of insomnia and turned them into productive hours in the studio. Luckily our prayers were answered and our son was born perfect and healthy, but the experience of carrying him has changed me forever, and I lovingly call him my little muse. I feel some of my best work has been created in the past nine months.

What motivates you on a daily basis? Do you have a "guilty pleasure" that you can't miss out on to get you going? On a daily basis, I am motivated by fresh air, sunshine and the laughter of my children. My "guilty pleasure" comes at the end of the day when the kids are in bed and my husband and I cuddle on the couch and indulge in our favorite TV shows and nightly dessert of chocolate chip cookies or an ice cream sundae. I would rather run five miles every day mainly so I can enjoy dessert at night!

What's your working style? Do you work for 12 hours straight nonstop, or do you take lots of breaks? Although I could easily work the day away if given the opportunity (I have too many ideas for my own good sometimes), being the mother of three children under four simply does not allow for that. Instead, I work in spurts, whenever I can carve some time out of the day, whether that is late in the evenings, early mornings, on Fridays when I have help at home, just whenever.