When the Universe Opens a Window

CAT GUTIERREZ When the Universe Opens a Window, 2023Oil on Gesso Board8 x 10 x 2 in ABOUT THE WORK This work was included in the "Postcards from Paradise" juried group exhibition at Voss Gallery (May 26 - July 1, 2023). ABOUT THE ARTIST "I grew up in San Jose, CA where I began drawing as a child before discovering oil painting as a student at St. Francis High School in Mountain View. I credit my oil painting teacher, Mrs. Sara Totah, with introducing me to the amazing medium and helping me develop my craft over two semesters. Based on that foundation, I developed different approaches to my oil paintings over the last couple of decades — brush, palette knife and drip or a mix of all three. With these different styles, I’ve been able to experiment with how one style can convey one feeling versus another. I use oil because I fell in love with its saturation in color and how through layers, you can create dynamic colors and depth. My top favorite artists are J. M. W. Turner, Helen Frankent