Biography

An American Artist, Specializing in Animal Art

Gemma Gylling is a California native who grew up on a small ranch in Southern California and currently resides in Valley Springs, California with her family and two dogs. It was on that small ranch where she developed her love of nature and animals.

After years of experimenting in oils and subsequently taking classes from a well known artist, Edgardo Garcia, she realized her artistic potential. For many years she created oil paintings portraying tranquil wildlife and nature. She then became interested in the colored pencil medium and continued her pursuit of art by taking workshops from well known colored pencil artists. She developed her colored pencil technique to a photo-realism quality. Her method is applying several layers of color using the colored pencil. The result simulates the look of an oil or acrylic painting. When people see her work they almost always say, "I can't believe this is done with colored pencils". Gemma is known for her attention to detail and her skill with the colored pencils, which is currently enjoyed by many animal art collectors.

Some of Gemma's other passions are Seascapes in Oil and creating Stained Glass windows. Many Clients enjoy Gemma's Limited Edition Prints of her Animal Art and her Oil Paintings

Support for Conservation: 

A portion of the sales of Gemma's artwork will go to the National Wildlife Federation and/or Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Special Achievements: 

Awards & Accomplishments

  • Colored Pencil Society of America, 10 Year Signature Award, 2019
  • Society of Animal Artists, Signature Award, 2019
  • Special Merit Award - Light Space and Time - Nature Art Exhibition - November 2018
  • 10th Place - Light Space and Time - Nature Art Exhibition - Painting Other Category - November 2018
  • Finalist - International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 107 - October/November 2018
  • Special Merit Award - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - May 2018
  • Runner Up - 2017 Artistic Excellence Competion, Southwest Art Magazine
  • Best in Show, Cippy Award - Colored Pencil Society of America 25nd International Exhibition
  • Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 10, Published by North Light Books
  • Special Merit Award - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - June 2017
  • Best in Show - 50th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition - 2016
  • Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 9, Published by North Light Books
  • Artist of the Month - December 2015 www.artistsofthemonth.net
  • Special Recognition Award - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - December 2015
  • First Place, CPSA - DC210, 4th Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2015
  • Honorable Mention - CPSA, DC210, 4th Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2015
  • Honorable Mention - 49th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition - 2015
  • Painting & Other Award 4th place - Light Space and Time - Nature Art Exhibition - August 2015
  • Overall Winning Artists, top 10 - Light Space and Time - Nature Art Exhibition - August 2015
  • Best in Show, Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, Animals Exhibition 2014
  • 2nd Place, CPSA, DC210, 3rd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2014
  • Overall Winning Artists, top 10 - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - August 2014
  • Special Merit Award - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - August 2014
  • Honorable Mention, Painting & Other - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - August 2014
  • Special Recognition Award - Light Space and Time - All Photography Exhibition - February 2014
  • Third Place - Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2013
  • Photography Exhibition Special Merit Award - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - October 2013
  • 1st Place, CPSA, DC210, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil
  • Honorable Mention, CPSA, DC210, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil
  • People's Choice Award - 46th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition
  • Award of Excellence - 46th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition
  • Signature Merit Member - Colored Pencil Society of America
  • Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 5, published by North Light Books
  • First Place - Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2011 Photography Exhibition
  • First Place - Animal Category - Placerville Art Association
  • Second Place - Animal Category - Placerville Art Association
  • Third Place - Animal Category - Placerville Art Association
  • People's Choice Award - Placerville Art Association
  • Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 4, published by North Light Books
  • Honorable Mention - 12th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
  • Special Recognition - Light Space and Time - Animals Exhibition - March 2011
  • Second Place Winner CP Division - Western States Horse Expo 2010
  • Signature Member - Artists For Conservation Foundation
  • Best of Wildlife - International Guild of Realism 4th Annual Exhibition - Weatherburn Gallery
  • Signature Member - Colored Pencil Society of America
  • Best of Figurative - International Guild of Realism - Leading Masters of Contemporary Realism Exhibit
  • Best in Show - Carriage Factory Gallery - Man's Best Friend Show
  • Honorable Mention - 7th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
  • Second Place - 6th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
  • Best of People's Choice Award - 6th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
  • Award of Merit - California State Fair, Big Fun!

Memberships

  • Colored Pencil Society of America - National Board Member (7 years) and Signature Member Colored Pencil Society of America, District Chapter 210
  • Society of Animal Artists - Juried Membership & Signature Member
  • International Guild of Realism - Juried Membership
  • Artists For Conservation, Worldwide Nature Artists Group - Juried Member & Signature Member
  • Performing Animal Welfare Society - Gemma is a Docent to the Lions and Elephants
  • Animal Defenders International - Volunteer
  • Placerville Art Association
  • Pencil Art Society