Portraits of Gaia:  A Veterinary Artist Perspective

Natural History Institute

In a lecture complementing his gallery exhibit, artist Ken Gorczyca shares his technique of capturing portraits of the earth, or Gaia.

Ken Gorczyca is a nature-based artist, veterinarian, and social activist. In this lecture, he invites you into his world of capturing portraits of the Earth, or Gaia, whom he believes is a living being. He will share his technique of capturing the moment in his colorful plein air paintings – which he creates in the wilderness while sitting on the ground. The Earth is his studio. Ken believes that nature and art are both essential medicine that help heal the soul, heart, and body.ARTIST STATEMENT: As an artist and veterinarian, I consider the Earth, or Gaia, to be a living creature. Gaia was the Greek goddess of Earth and the mother of all life. To me, all scenes and objects are full of her spirit and essence.This show consists of portraits of Gaia that include gardens, national parks, desert wilderness, and animals, all of which mirror her spirit, emotions, and color. I use thick acrylic paint and motion using brush, knife, and nature objects to capture moments of shadow, serenity and passion. I also include natural objects and water from the scene directly into my paint to capture their spirit. I love to seize the exact moment of the rising or setting sun as it reflects aliveness over the landscape. My paintings tell stories of color, space, shadow, and change.Doors open at 6:30pm.*The event is free but space is limited and registration is required to attend. Masks are encouraged in the building. The talk will be<a href="https://youtu.be/3UNSA3UBAPw" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"> live-streamed to our YouTube channel</a> for those unable to attend in person.Experience these methods in person at Ken&#x27;s follow-up field workshop, happening Saturday, November 12th. Register here: <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-citizen-artist-tickets-405357233397" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"></a><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/images-from-the-source-a-shared-experience-tickets-439956801637" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/images-from-the-source-a-shared-experience-tickets-439956801637</a>Ken&#x27;s exhibit, &quot;Portraits of Gaia,&quot; is featured in the Natural History Institute&#x27;s Art Gallery from October 28th, 2022 - January 13th, 2023. Exhibit hours are Tuesday - Friday, 10am-5pm and Saturdays 11am-4pm.

Ken Gorczyca, DVM, is a nature-based artist, veterinarian and social activist currently sharing his time between the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, San Francisco, and the desert. His grandfather recognized his talent and introduced him to painting at age seven. Ken studied meteorology and veterinary medicine at the University of California at Davis. He has also studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, the City College of San Francisco at Fort Mason and the U.C. Berkeley Visual Arts Program.Ken is an advocate of nature and of the human-animal bond. He uses nature and wilderness as his studio using the ‘plein air’ style while sitting directly on the earth. Ken also loves painting animal companions in memoriam and in life as part of his end-of-life veterinary doula practice. He finds painting to be an essential part of his personal happiness and well-being. He shares his life with his husband, Lorenz, a terrier dog named Kira, and their gardens.

Portraits of Gaia: A Veterinary Artist Perspective

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Portraits of Gaia: A Veterinary Artist Perspective

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