My Story pt 2
The rest of my story and my history.
My Art Story Part #2
Hi everyone....so a little more about me GaFra. I grew up in a middle class home with just me my younger brother, my father and my mom. We spent most of our time with our mom. She was open to anything I or my brother wanted to do. I did ballet ( I started at an old age...10 years old) and danced until I was 16yrs and my mom would be parked outside of the Caribbean School of Dance for hours while I did my classes or my ballet exams. Dance was my biggest love. I loved moving and feeling the music.
I attended Fatima RC primary school and passed for Curepe Junior Secondary school but my Godmother got me a transfer to Providence Girls. I stayed there until Form 2 then got another transfrer to St Joseph Convent Port of Spain. I Did my O'levels there then did my A'levels at St Francois Girls. I loved school and I loved all 3 schools I attended. I still have friends from the last 2 schools but I also wanted to go further. My dream then was to get qualifications and become a top executive of a company. Art was nowhere in my mind or my life. The only thing I knew was I liked doing pencil drawings but that was it.
Where I am Now.
After High school I worked for a year and a half at RBTT Bank. That was the only company to respond to my application for a job. My parents weren't into getting qualifications. They assumed after school you got a job and then eventually had a family. That wasnt my plan. I even wanted to go abroad to study so I did the SAT exams. Please understand that I didnt even know much about how to even apply to study abroad all I knew was you need good SAT scores to get in. I didnt study or do classes for the SAT exams like my kids do today. I organised and did the exams on my own but when I asked my parents if I could go abroad to study they said they didn't have that kind of money. So that plan was a bust.
By the way my score from the SAT exam was 1400. I didnt even know if that was good or not. So I had to find another way to get my degree. Thats when I heard about CESS. This was a Bank campaign where you took a loan which your parents co signed and after you finished your degree you got a job and paid back the loan. And people that's how I got my degree.
If you really want something nothing can keep you from achieving it except you.
So I earned my degree and went out into the working world. Thats when RBTT hired me again but I was a simple teller.
Want to know what happens next? Do I just work in a bank for years? Check my blog next week and find out what happens next. Love you all.
EARTHQUAKE!!!!!!
Shating a pic that was shared online. Some things were displaced in this store
Hello everyone. I don't normally do a second post in one week but I just had to share this. Trinidad &Tobago had one of its strongest quakes ever on Tuesday. It was a 6.9 and lasted about 3 minutes. It was scary as heck although I have to confess when it started I was at home with my family. I was upstairs with my husband when it started. We normally just sit still until it passes but this time it was rough so we crouched near the bed, but my main thought was to try to protect the TV from falling.....yes....lol...when we thought is was finished it started up again but worst, so we moved to the doorway.
People when it finally stopped I immediately rushed downstairs to find out how my girls were (my 3 daughters were downstairs). Only to find them at the front door with one in her towel ( she was taking a shower when it happened). Everyone was fine but the electricity was gone and you cpuldn't make any calls. I tried to call my mom who lives alone. You realise from an experience like this how inconsequential and helpless we humans are if nature wants to take revenge. I say revenge because humans have been disrespecting the environment and nature, so its paying us back for that. We really need to treat the earth better. Stop the poisoning of the seas, polluting the atmosphere and the land.
So blessedly there were no fatalities and only small damages to buildings and cars but there was an aftershock yesterday and they say we can expect an even bigger tremor sometime. We are powerless against something like that but we can try to be prepared. But Trinis have short memories. They will be partying as usual in 2 weeks and would have forgotten all about this scare. Not sure if our happy go lucky attitude is a good thing or not but it is our reality.
So thats the story. A shake up in Trinidad but we are resilient and nothing takes our joy. Chat next week. If anything else happens I will let you know. Later!! What we need to do.
My Story
Hi everyone. Just wanted to tell you a little bit about me. So who is GaFra? Better known as Gail Francis. Well I am the first of 2 children. My baby brother is my sweety. We are 6 years apart but we get along like a house on fire. We laugh at the most ridiculous things. My father died or was killed a few years ago. That's a whole story in itself. My mom is alive and she is a sweetheart.
Being the oldest I am quite responsible. I did my chores. Didn't stay out too late etc. Being married with four children I must say my mom had it easy...but my kids are a dream and so is my wonderful husband. I don't know how he puts up with me. I am stubborn and bossy sometimes but he is my greatest fan. Life in Trinidad is great despite all the things you hear internationally. I own my own business that I run with my husband but my Art is my second business.
I'm hoping to make it a serious business so when I retire it is fully up and running. So coming back to me......below see what i looked like as a child.
cute huh?😁 I have always enjoyed life. I look different from a few years ago and as I get older I decided to go natural and I am enjoying it immensely. But painting is what lets me relax and I am happiest doing.
But I also enjoyed horseback riding but haven't been able to do much of that anymore
This is me when I decided to go natural. I cut it all off. I'm in the Botanical Gardens having snow cone.
Love that place. Ok I've got lots more to share but i'll do that next week. I rebranded as you know and I want my new look to really reach out there internationally. So let your friends, here and abroad know about my site. www.gafra.org......As a part of my new look I will also be painting series. Right now I'm working on a 3 part series of my watercolour painting " The Old Lattice House" I plan to paint 3 different perspectives of the house. Here is "The Old Lattice House" the first/original.
This is part 2 of the Old House Series.
OK guys talk next week. And check me next week to see how the series is going. Later!!! Love you all.
Hi I’m GaFra
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REBRANDING
I Rebranded from Triniartstudio to Gafra.
A change in outlook and image was required.
Hi everyone....so its Sunday 12th August 2018 and last week I Rebranded my Art Business. I'm now known as "GaFra", formerly Triniartstudio. Why did I change? I decided to do an entire new me. Start afresh with a new name, new plan, new focus. I couldn't do that with the old name. It no longer fit. At first my family couldn't or didn't understand why the change. They also didn't too much fancy the new name. But human beings adapt and soon they were saying "its not too bad".
What made my day was a call from the Art Exhibition Coordinator Neala Luna. Yes i was asked if I wanted to be a part of an Exhibition of Abstract Artist. Of course I said yes. It was a great day when Neala, calls me all excited about my rebranding and how amazing she found the name change and she was really happy for me.
She felt the name had an International feel to it which would allow me to broaden my reach and not stay limited to a local market. That did so much for me. It reaffirmed that my decision was a great one and my new brand name sounded extremely good and fit the international scene just as I was hoping it would. It also sounded great when she pronounced it...GaFra.....GaFra....lol.
So I'm in the throws of organising my new website and Online Store which has a simpler less complicated feel. My first site, in my excitement to create it I included way too many pages and effects etc. It felt cumbersome and like a congested house....too much....too much!! I have always been a minimalist at heart. You see it in my art and now it's obvious in my website. So please go take a look at my new persona on www.gafra.org and I've also changed my instagram name...it's now..._gafra_. (formerly gfran_triniartstudio)
Hi I’m Gafra
REBRANDED from TriniArtStudio
Check out my PRINTABLES TO DECORATE YOUR SPACE AND GET YOUR FREEBIES. WWW.GAFRA.ORG
My new Logo
Look out for my Blogs at www.gafra.org; triniartstudio.org and gafraihairu.com
The End Product
The completed piece in an Exhibition in Southern Trinidad.
Hi I’m GaFra
Welcome and enjoy my blog and join my list and get my FREEBIES.
Hi everyone. This is phase 3 and 4 of my process from my last post about How I create a Piece.
PHASE 3
Just to recap. You would have drawn the pattern, painted the canvas in the colour you wanted, then outlined the edge of the different shapes in black or a dark colour. Dont let the outline get too wide. If it gets wide then make sure it gets lighter in colour as you move away from the edge. This creates a shadow effect at the edge of the shapes.
PHASE 4
Now you can chose a colour that contrasts with your piece. Check your colour wheel if you're unsure. Now choose 3-4 parts of different sections of the different shapes and paint it that contrasting colour. You can try the clean water splattering on these contrasting sections or try splattering paint on these sections. Clean up any areas where splatter may have spread as you only want those areas with the contrasting colour to be splatteted. On the edges of the shapes you can pass the dark paint again if the edges look faded. So...thats it.....You've basically completed your piece. YEA!!!!!!WELL DONE!!! See my End Result below.
If you try this, send me pics of how yours looks. Email me at gfrancistt@gmail.com or contact me through my old site....www.triniartstudio.net, until I get my new domain..... I Would love to see them. Good luck and most of all enjoy yourself. Remember...."There are no mistakes, only creative touches."
Finally, I have to decide which view is most captivating? Placing it vertically or horizontally? Thats the thing with abstracts. You paint it in one position but it can look even better upside down or sideways....lol.....love that....but when I've decided only then can I sign my piece.
SO...Later guys, love you all and check you next week. Check me on instagram at _gafra_ (formerly gfran_triniartstudio) I will be posting a few more new pieces SOON...I'm returning to my Watercolours soon!
GET YOUR FREE GIFT
A book with my watercolour pieces and their story.
How Do I Create A Piece?
A bit about how i paint and how i start.
Hi everyone. Yes....you'll realise that I am posting a few blogs all in one day, because I have Rebranded and as a result I've developed this new website, so I am sharing a few of my blogs from my old website. So let me talk about what's happening with me. I have 2 Group Exhibitions to prepare for. One I already have pieces for, but for the second, although I have possible pieces I decided to paint 2 additional pieces and then I will make my choice. So here goes...
TO BEGIN
I usually have an idea in my mind of what colours I want to use and what patterns I see on the canvas. I dont know what it will look like in the end but I have an idea of how I would like it to look. If its a geometric piece then I draw out the shapes in pencil and with a ruler or whatever I have that will give me a circle or the shape I want. Then I paint the canvas with the colours chosen.
PHASE ONE
Start painting but make sure that the colours are not opposites on the colour wheel or it will turn muddy. Paint the entire canvas with swiping strokes, up and down strokes and x strokes dipping your brush from one colour to the next. Even if brush strokes sbiw that's OK because its an abstract and that will be civered later and will add to the 3D effect. You can even sprinkle clean drops of water on the canvas while it is still wet. Then take a paper towel and mop up the water droplets. Pat it dry dont drag the paper towel, simply lay it over the canvas then pat the top gently. Remove the paper towel and behold. The paper towel removes the paint but leaves really nice patterns. Or place bubble wrap on the canvas, press lightly while the paint is still damp. It leaves the bubble imprint. Let it dry.
GET YOUR FREE CHECKLIST OF ART SUPPLIES FOR BEGINNERS
PHASE TWO
Now its time to outline the edges of the different shapes in whatever dark colour you have. I use burnt umber or a watery black. This is what mine looks like at this point:
Continue outlining the shapes then the next phase is adding some more colour to the piece. When I have completed that part I will show you, but for now I am off to continue or finish off this piece.
So guys that's all for now. I will share pics of phase 3 as soon as I complete it and then phase 4 which is the "touch up" phase. Check you soon and have a great week.
Highs and Lows
Highs & Lows. We all experience these times. What does it mean for me?
Hi everyone. I was killing some time the other day, and as I waited for my husband to pick me up, I started to think and enjoy the fact that people in Trinidad and Tobago live such different lives. Sometimes you get a short glimpse into someone else's life and you realise how different they were brought up and you realise how different it was for them compared to how you were brought up. Then you also now acknowledge that's why people behave and think and do things totally different from you.
Some people had very difficult lives, some had it very easy and others had a mixture of both. My life has been pretty blessed but there are things that I have never experienced or been exposed to but inspite of that I am the one responsible for my own happiness. I enjoy life....yes sometimes I feel down but I don't let it linger. There is soooo much beauty out there and things to enjoy. Why waste time complaining or grumbling?
I visited an old boss a few weeks back and she is the epitomy of energy and life. I admire her greatly. She has aged but she has done it so well. Still a go getter and still extremely strong. I hope I am like that when I reach 75. I think surrounding yourself with nature heals you versus living in a concrete jungle. Give me mountains and trees and birds anyday. It all adds up to a long lifespan.
My Debut into Blogging
My start into blogging.
My Debut into Blogging. So many things to share and so much to learn. It is fun.
Hello Everyone,
I'm finally starting up a blogggg!!!. Why? Because everyone's doing it...HaHa... no that's not why. I've finally found a way to share my thoughts with others and to talk about my country and share that with you out there. My home country of Trinidad and Tobago is an amazing place with amazing people. We're a twin Island off the north east tip of Venezuela. No we're not part of Venezuela. Please don't get confused, google us.
I also wanted a medium to share my art which depicts the different things about Trinidad that captures my attention. From the simple things like trafficjams to the nicer things like our beautiful vegetation, such as bamboo, that surrounds me. I'll mention our food and events of course but my art will be my introduction into the story or blog for that day. So thanks a lot Wordpress and all you wonderful people who take an interest in my blog. I say welcome!!! And Later!!!!
My Art
Art is an amazing outlet. Let me share mine with you.
Art is an amazing outlet. Let me share mine with you.
Hi Guys, this is one of my pieces. So what's the story behind this piece called "Gran Couva Huts"? Well, ever so often my husband and I go for a drive into a semi country area where there is this estate or garden center that sells plants. On the way you pass these huts that once formed part of an old plantation. The people who worked on this plantation lived in these huts. Even today there are still a few families that live in one or two of them.
I wanted to give you a preview into my art and what types of stories will come along with them. For this piece, the huts themselves and how they looked captured my attention. They had a sense of history about them seeing as they are in Gran Couva, a place known for having the finest cocoa in the world. This is due to the soil and the climate converging to create a cocoa that makes the best chocolate ever. I work in Watercolour. After taking the photo I then render it and maybe a few days later I start painting. I leave it to look at it for a few days to decide if it needs to be tweeked, then I'm done. So Trini lovers bye for now, we will chat again soon.
Hi I’m Gafra
Welcome!!
