BIO

Giselle Gautreau is an artist who works in oil and encaustic paints. She creates luminous and atmospheric work drawing inspiration from the environment. 

Giselle has exhibited widely and has received awards and recognition for her work. Her paintings are in public and private collections in the United States and internationally. She currently resides in Charlottesville, VA. She is an educator, teaching painting classes from her studio, and teaches art at Renaissance School. Giselle is a resident artist at McGuffey Art Center, a restored historic school building, where she keeps her studio.

ABOUT THE WORK/ARTIST STATEMENT

In my art, I explore the convergence of memory, landscape, and ecology, with a recent focus on a series that delves into the imagery of maps, contemplating changing coastlines and migratory bird patterns in the context of climate change. Nature's hues and atmospheric subtleties serve as my constant inspiration, brought to life through layers of oil or encaustic paints that evoke depth and luminosity.
My paintings are informed by direct observation and a deep connection to the landscapes I portray. As I consider the impacts of climate change, I contemplate the landscape as a metaphor for adaptation and loss, highlighting our intertwined relationship with nature. Through my art, I aim to provoke contemplation and appreciation for the intricate interconnectedness of our world and the enduring beauty amidst the flux of time.

Resume/CV

Date of Birth: 1970
Location: Charlottesville, VA

Profile

Visual artist specializing in oil and encaustic painting, renowned for creating luminous and atmospheric artworks inspired by the natural environment. Recognized for a broad exhibition history, with works held in public and private collections both domestically and internationally.

Professional Experience

Artist

  • Exhibited extensively across various galleries and exhibitions.

  • Recipient of multiple awards and accolades for artistic excellence.

  • Works included in prestigious public and private collections in the United States and abroad.

Educator

  • Faculty Member, Renaissance School, Charlottesville, VA

    • Teaching painting classes and workshops.

    • Experienced in delivering art education to diverse student groups, fostering creativity and technical skills.

Resident Artist

  • McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA

    • Maintains an active studio.

    • Engages with the local art community through exhibitions and collaborative projects.

Education

  • Master of Fine Arts, Painting, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting, Maine College of Art & Design, Portland, ME

  • Goddard College, Plainfield, VT

Solo/Small Group Exhibitions

  • Mirabilia Naturae (Wonders Of Nature), Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA, 2023

  • Gay Street Gallery, Washington, VA, 2019

  • Two If By Land, Connaughton Gallery, UVA, Charlottesville, VA, 2018

  • Paintings, Writer House, Charlottesville, VA, 2018

  • In Smoke and Fog, Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2015

  • Local Atmosphere, Regale Winery, Los Gatos, CA, 2011

  • California Muse, Saffron & Genevieve, Santa Cruz, CA, 2011

  • East Meets West, Artemis Center, Los Gatos, CA, 2009

  • Catch the Air, Main Art Gallery, Richmond, VA, 2002

  • Epiphanies, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2000

  • Bee Stories, Anderson Gallery, Richmond, VA, 1999

  • Landscapes, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 1996

Group Exhibitions

  • Voices of Fire, Alexander Heath Contemporary, Roanoke, VA 2023

  • Grounded: Landscape Explorations In Wax, Staunton Augusta Art Center, Staunton, VA, 2023

  • Teeny Tiny Trifecta, Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA, 2023/2022/2021/2020/2018

  • Virginia Fall Art Tour, RH Ballard Gallery, Washington, VA, 2022

  • Water Works, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2022

  • Waxing Poetic, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2022

  • RH Ballard Gallery, Washington, VA, 2021

  • Abstractions, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2021

  • In the Current, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2021

  • Bond/Bound, Second Street Gallery, virtual exhibit, 2020

  • Art In the Time of Pandemic, virtual exhibit, curated by Joanne Mattera, 2020

  • Altered States, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2020

  • Melting Point: Contemporary Encaustic, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2019

  • Celebrating Creativity, Darden School of Business, University of VA, Charlottesville, VA, 2019

  • Wax, Fire and Fungi, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2018

  • The Exaltation of Larks, Chroma Projects Gallery, Charlottesville, VA, 2018

  • Art Auction, Second Street Gallery, Charlottesville, VA, 2017

  • Flotsam, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2017

  • New Members Exhibition, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2017

  • Flight, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2016

  • Inventory Salon, Hang Art, San Francisco, CA, 2015

  • Same, Same, But Different, Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2014/2013

  • Inventory Pick, Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA, Guest Curator: Lisa Kairos, 2013

  • Front Lines, Hang Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA, 2013

  • Birds & Bees, Many Hands Gallery, Capitola, CA, 2013

  • Wax: Contemporary Encaustic Works, Pajaro Valley Arts Council, Watsonville, CA, 2012

  • Birds, Bees & Trees, Redtree Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, 2011

  • Earth Portraits, Santa Cruz Art League, Santa Cruz, CA, 2011

  • Thumbnails, Main Art Gallery, Richmond, VA, 2006

  • Five Painters, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, ME, 2003

  • Art To Go, 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA, 2003

  • Artists Choose Artists, Emerson Umbrella, Concord, MA, 2003

  • Small Works Invitational, 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA, 2002

  • Faculty Exhibition, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond, VA, 2002

  • Mystery, Memories and Nature, Stewart Gallery, Boise, ID, 2000

  • The Moveable Feast, 1708 Gallery, Richmond, VA, 1998

  • Art Windows International, Washington, DC, 1998

  • International Exchange Exhibition, Shanghai University & Suzhou University, China, 1998

  • In Line: Drawings, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 1996

  • On The Road: Virginia Festival of American Film, Charlottesville, VA, 1996

Curatorial Projects

  • Waxing Poetic, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2022

  • Melting Point: Contemporary Encaustic, McGuffey Art Center, Charlottesville, VA, 2019

Awards and Honors

  • International Encaustic Artists Grant, 2022

  • Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Residency Fellowship, 2021

  • TEDx Charlottesville, featured artist/short documentary, 2020

  • Achievement in the Arts Award, National League of American Pen Women, 2016

  • Professional Artist Fellowship, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, VA, 2001

  • Individual Artist Fellowship, Virginia Commission for the Arts, VA, 2000

  • Mentorship Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1998

  • Commonwealth Award, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 1997

Public Collections

  • McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

  • Poyner & Poyner Law Offices, Los Gatos, CA

  • Red Hen Press, Pasadena, CA

  • Dyklaine Industries, San Jose, CA

  • Altria Corporation, Richmond, VA

Contact Information:
Giselle C. Gautreau
Charlottesville, VA
gg@gisellegautreau.com
www.gisellegautreau.com
Instagram: GiselleGautreau.Art