Colorful Optimism with Gabrielle

Another big thanks to Amanda for finding this member and writing the Spotlight. Have someone whose work you admire and want to share that admiration with the Glass Community? Tell us why in an email — highlights@glass.photo.

Late winter in the northern hemisphere is like the last few miles of a marathon. It can feel like a slog of monochrome, both in weather and attitude. But thankfully we have Gabrielle serving up fresh color.

Get ready for wonderful, quirky vibrancy. Snow, big sky, gorgeous flowers, rich greenery..her nature images are a delightful lesson in color theory. Bright, big, bold, and yet still harmonious. Even her softer images put color on full display. She demonstrates a fundamental understanding of color context, how these tones and shades make a viewer feel. Her work is a major mood boost. 

Gabrielle’s style isn’t deterred by the harsh winters of her Canadian environment. She’s skilled in finding the light, be it a sundog in the cold, or the sparkly detail of bokeh in the snow. This same technique finds its way into her portrait work. There is a subtle current of optimism in the way she creates catchlights. Her subjects are almost always looking up or forward. Warmth and joy are illustrated through literal bright eyes and composition, regardless of the conditions. 

Her affinity with color reminds us that overhead, no matter how thick and grey the cloud cover, the sun still shines.