Artist Statement

"Well, it's like Jazz, You do this and then you improvise."
- Romare Bearden

Working in different mediums has broadened my perspective in my approach to collage.

I choose the medium, that I think will best illustrate my idea. A variety of materials of different textures engages my senses, when working in the three-dimensional mode. Collage in it's purist form, is all papers, such as found papers, handmade papers or papers created by me. When working two-dimensionally, I use color to make a statement for me.

My first love is oil painting, I am a painter, who loves manipulating watercolor, oils, fabric paints and inks with great brushes on canvas or paper. My objective is the focus of the elements and techniques together, to express my idea or mood with harmonious results.

Gailene McGhee St.Amand
2009

Biography

Born in New Orleans, the Big Easy, I was always a creative person. A dancer at 3 years old, my skills as a dancer earned me a position, as a dancer for the New Orleans Saints in 1967-8. I have always created games, paper dolls or drawing objects in my house. I have 2 children and 5 children, my inspiration and motivation in life. I worked as an import/export clerk for 21 years. Retired then, moved to Jersey City in 2001, and while I am happy here in Chill Town, New Orleans has the essence that I crave. Commercial Art was my first direction, but I soon learned it was not the discipline for me. Fine Arts has the flexibility, that I love to get outside of the box and create from my heart and soul. I live to create.