Interview with Artist Gabrielle Mier (art.life.gabrielle)

1. Hi, Gabrielle! I am excited to have you on the blog today. Let's start by getting to know you a little better. What makes you, YOU?

Thanks for having me on your blog! This is a really cool idea, and I'm excited to be a part of it. My name is Gabrielle, pronounced with a long a (my nickname is Gabe). I'm twenty-six years old, I live in Bay City, Michigan, and I'm an artist in every sense of the word.

When I refer to "art", I'm actually not referring specifically to painting and drawing, but to all forms of creative expression. For me, those are visual art, writing, music, and dance. I love being fluid in what mediums I use to express ideas and share depth and beauty.

When I created my blog art. life. gabrielle. in 2017, it was intended to be a space for me to share not only my creative work, but my life as a whole. The way I see it, the art we create cannot be separate from our lives. They are deeply integrated. Creativity is intertwined in our everyday lives in simple, yet profound ways, and I guess my blog is an attempt to show the intersection of those.

2. The art you sell on your website is so calming and beautiful. Can you tell us a little bit about what initially inspired you to begin sharing your prints with others?

I've always gravitated toward things that are calming and beautiful. Creating art for me is a cathartic, meditative process. Whether I'm working on a painting or improvising on the piano, the process of creating is a way for me to release anxiety and connect to the depths within myself. Sharing the art that I create feels equally cathartic, like a gift I want to give to people. My hope is that in sharing the beauty that I see and the deep sense of peace I feel when I connect with it, others might be able to connect with that in their own lives.

3. What I love most about your online presence is the great detail you put into your newsletters and blog posts. You write about the mundane, everyday occurrences in such a romantic way, and every time I read, I feel as though I am right there with you. The photos you include are the cherry on top. Why did you choose to share your experiences online and what is the best part about it?

Wow, thank you so much! That is exactly what I'm going for with my blogs—to take people along with me as I meditate on the inner and outer experiences in my life. I'm not someone who enjoys attention, so sharing my experiences so vulnerably and transparently is often pretty uncomfortable to me. Ever since doing this, though, I've felt this deep conviction that there is a need for this kind of content, that people relate to hearing other people's experiences, because so many of the things we go through are universal. One of the most unexpectedly beautiful things I've experienced through creating and sharing these blogs is that it's connected me to so many people on a deeper level. Engaging with readers in raw and honest ways is my absolute favorite part!

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?

 I love this question. Traveling is a huge passion of mine. I want to travel as many places as I possibly can in my lifetime. Seeing the beauty in different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures is such a great way to learn and grow. If I had to pick one place right now, I would say Italy.

5. Who is an artist, creator, or author you admire?

 There are so many, but one contemporary creative whose essence really resonates with me is Tess Guinery. I've been following her online for quite a few years, and from the moment I stumbled across her, I felt like she was living and creating in the same way that I strive to. The way she sees beauty in her everyday life and the way she connects with God so directly and deeply just make me happy. Interacting with her work is a breath of fresh air and fills me with so much inspiration.

6. What is the best thing about your life right now?

These days, I'm feeling especially grateful for all the deep and connected relationships I have in my life: my husband, my mom, my 93-year-old grandma, and others. Getting to spend time with them and connect with them deeply is truly a gift. Listening to them, learning from them, absorbing their wisdom, and growing closer to them makes my life feel so vibrant.

7. What do you hope people who come across your art and writing will take away from it?

More than anything, my hope is that in sharing so vulnerably, honestly, and transparently about my life, it will help people to connect more deeply with themselves on a spiritual level. Regardless of whether I'm directly speaking about spirituality and inner growth, that truly is what underlies all of my work. It's about opening people up so that they can experience true peace and joy and love and freedom, or at least to nudge them in that direction.

8. Oftentimes, as creators, we feel the burden of needing to "sell" our art or ourselves as a brand which can make being on social media exhausting. I love your blog and your newsletters because it is a refreshing platform to consume content away from mindless, quick scrolling. To engage with your content, one has to really engage. I like that about what you are doing online. What are your struggles with being online and having any kind of social media presence?

This is such a thoughtful question. Social media, to me, is a powerful and useful tool for sharing little pieces of my work and connecting with others. I've always seen social media platforms not as the foundation of what I do, but as an extension of it to reach more people. Creating and engaging with long-form content is exactly what you described—something that slows us down and makes us breathe more deeply while we really take something in, rather than rushing through it mindlessly and just going through the motions.

I have definitely struggled in the past with being on social media, because it can easily pull you in and throw you out of your calm, present state and into this feeling of anxiety. What is currently working for me to manage that is to only post when I feel called to, when it doesn't feel obligatory or shallow, when I feel I really have something to say, and when it doesn't make me feel anxious. This means posting less frequently, but the content I share feels far more intentional that way.

9. Is there anything you would like to add?

As I mentioned earlier, the reason I do the work that I do is to help others connect more deeply with the spirituality in their own lives. I see this as the work I was called to do with my life to serve. I love nothing more than having deep and meaningful conversations with people. With me, nothing is off-limits. I'm really here for anyone if they want to talk with me and share their own life experiences or struggles. So if anyone resonates with this and wants to connect, please do! You can follow my blog and subscribe to my email newsletter at artlifegabrielle.com, and I'm on Instagram @artlifegabrielle. I don't reply instantly, but I do always reply!