Life & Work with Angela Gage

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Gage. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I pursued my love of art by attending the Columbus College of Art and Design and studying with many nationally known artists. I started my art teaching career with kids in summer camps. Then I progressed to adult classes. I enjoyed teaching very much and have been doing it ever since. I have taught at numerous art centers around the Columbus area, along with a couple of years at CCAD. When the McConnell Arts Center in Worthington opened in 2009, I began teaching there. All along the way, I have entered shows and competitions and have won numerous awards for my art in oil, pastel, and miniatures. 

Nowadays, I offer classroom and private studio instruction as well as working on portrait commissions. I teach drawing, oil painting, plein air (painting outside), pastel, figure drawing, and portrait classes. Sharing my love of art with my students and helping them find something that they love is the best part of teaching. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Promoting my portrait commission work and private lessons has been a challenge. I have had a few repeat customers for commission work and some from word of mouth, but I would like to expand that. Social media and marketing are some rougher problem areas for me. I suppose that is common among artists. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My journey as an artist has attracted me to people and places where I try to capture a moment in time with my art to share with future generations. An essence of beauty that leaves an imprint on our current culture and time. Like many artists, my main object is to become a better artist and teacher. I am always looking to improve upon my techniques when I am painting and hoping I can convey what I am feeling and relay that to the viewer. The art world is challenging but worth it. 

I strive to enhance my artistic vision and skills. Practice is the best way to become better, and that is my motivation. Taking workshops helps me to advance. It also lets me check to see if my teaching is on target. 

I feel that my oil portraits are the strongest part of my work and what I am most proud of. When I don’t have a commission to work on, I spend much of my spare time painting in my studio. Painting “plein air,” especially when the weather is warmer, is also one of my favorite pastimes. I try to fill my life with as much painting and drawing as possible while also enjoying family, friends, and nature. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
The older I get the more I just want to paint. Some of the inspirations I find are the flowers in my backyard, beautiful landscapes, and my grandchildren. I just want to paint those. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artbyangelagage.com
• Instagram: #artbyangelagage
• Facebook: #artbyangelagage