We recently had the chance to connect with Gabrielle Howell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gabrielle, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I’d say I’m called to share my art, but before I could step into that, I had to face the insecurities and fear of judgment that kept me from fully embracing myself.
When I started my art business, I shared select pieces without explanation, hiding behind a sense of mystery. It was easier to let people wonder than to reveal the personal stories and emotions woven into my work. Over time, I had to prepare myself for the vulnerability that came with sharing more openly.
Now, I’ve grown into offering not only the stories behind certain pieces, but also my process, inviting people to experience my art with me, even in its rawest most vulnerable state. Pursuing my art has been a journey of healing and self-growth, teaching me the strength that comes from showing up fully as myself.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I like to describe my art as a balance between complexity and simplicity. On the surface, you’ll see abstract and experimental elements, but behind every figure, shape, and detail, there’s intentional meaning. My pieces often hold deeper layers, creating a visual story for its viewers.
Whether it’s a personal piece or a commissioned one, my goal is to create art that brings peace and joy into the space it hangs. I believe art has presence; it changes the energy of a room. When someone looks at my work, I want them to feel calm, but also intrigued enough to pause, reflect, and connect it to their own journey.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Honestly, I’m still figuring that out. I believe so much of who we become as adults is shaped by our childhood experiences, the words spoken to us, even the traumas. Sometimes a single comment can spark an insecurity or fear we didn’t even know we had as children, only for it to resurface in adulthood.
As I continue to heal and work on myself, I feel like I’m slowly discovering who I truly am. So for now, my answer is: I’m still learning. Maybe by the next interview, I’ll have that semi-figured out.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has been my greatest teacher. It builds strength, endurance, and shows us the areas where we need to grow to move into the next chapter of life. Success feels good, but it doesn’t shape you the way struggle does. It’s in the hard seasons, when you’re forced to push through, that you realize how much you can handle and how strong you really are.
I always hold onto the scripture that says God won’t give us more than we can bear. That perspective reminds me that trials aren’t meant to break us, they’re meant to grow us. The person I am today wasn’t shaped by success, but by the challenges I had to endure along the way.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think smart people sometimes assume their way is the only way. But the truth is, what works for one person might not work for another. By being open-minded I don’t mean you have to change what you do, it’s about understanding that your way isn’t the only way.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I usually know I’m out of my depth when I start feeling uncomfortable, don’t have the answers, or find myself intensely Googling and researching something. There’s a nervousness that comes with being in unknown territory, but I’ve learned that’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes being out of our depth is exactly what we need to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gabriellehowellart.com
- Instagram: GabrielleHowellArt
