Isabelle Gaborit
Isabelle Gaborit
As a contemporary artist, my chosen medium is encaustic, an ancient form that resonates with the depth of time. My artistic journey intertwines seamlessly with my daily sketching routine, where I delve into mark-making and gesture. Through this practice, I absorb the essence of my surroundings, weaving together the visual memory of place—its forms, colours, textures, and patterns.
The transmutation of these experiences finds expression in my paintings, not through overt consciousness but as a manifestation of the embodiment of my encounters in my hands and body. A profound fascination with geological processes, shaped by time and weather, drives my artistic exploration. I am drawn to the layers that build up over time, gradually revealed by the relentless forces of nature.
In my studio, I emulate these geological processes in my art-making. Each painting undergoes a series of stages, mirroring the natural forces that mould landscapes—construction, destruction, growth, and decay. Much like an archaeological process, my paintings evolve through the physicality of layering pigmented beeswax, scraping it back while cooled, scoring, and shaping. This intricate technique results in highly tactile surfaces that invite viewers to explore the nuanced history embedded within each work.
I am a professional visual artist with a BA (Hons), originally from La Rochelle in the southwest of France, and currently residing in the west coast of Ireland. My artistic journey began with a foundation in sculpture, drawing, and painting at l’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Poitiers, France. In 2006, I graduated with an honours degree in fine arts in Ireland.
Since then, my artistic endeavours have taken me on a dynamic path of national and international exhibitions, showcasing my work in locations such as the USA, Northern Ireland, China, and France. A former member of Artspace in Galway and G126, I am also one of the founding members of Art In Studio, East Clare artist studios trail.
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You can view Isabelle’s work at:
Class Details
Immersive Landscape Sketching: Capturing the Moment
In this class, the focus transcends the conventional notions of sketching the landscape. Join Isabelle Gaborit as she unveils her daily artistic routine, centred around sketching in the landscape, absorbing the atmosphere, and crafting personal and sensorial responses. Participants will delve into Isabelle's unique approach, not only learning the art of capturing atmosphere but also immersing themselves in a daily practice of sketching and drawing, laying the groundwork for expressive encaustic paintings. The emphasis is on delving into mark-making and gestures as a means of a direct and intuitive connection with the essence of the surroundings. The ultimate objective is to foster an embodied experience, enabling participants to visually memorialize the intricacies of a place – from its forms and colours to its textures and patterns.
Painting the Wild: A Journey into Expressive Landscape Art
Building upon the foundations laid in the preceding online class, this session serves as a direct continuation, where Isabelle will demonstrate how she translates those experiences back in the studio with a focus on direct and expressive responses.
Isabelle will share her process of distillation of these experiences and share her repertoire of techniques for crafting highly textured surfaces in your encaustic paintings. Emphasizing the significance of a limited palette, she will guide you through the nuances of colour selection and application, allowing them to infuse their artworks with a richness that mirrors the intensity of their outdoor encounters.