Introducing Artist Daisy Giles

Self Portrait- Daisy Giles
Introduce yourself: Describe your work in two sentences or less:

This is Daisy Giles: I am a visual artist although I also sing, write, and am an aspiring designer as well. My work is romantic, whimsical, not folky but maybe a bit fairytale-ish, not quite realism but definitely not abstract, distinctly feminine and distinctly brown.


Tell me a bit about your background: Where are you from? What was it like growing up there?

I hail from Saint Paul Minnesota, coming from a family of mixed African American and South American ancestry. I have one older brother - he was my best playmate growing up although there were always kids to play with in my neighborhood. It was fun, and it was fairly safe. My parents worked hard to give my brother and myself options and encouraged us to do the same, but they always reinforced that not everyone had what we had and to appreciate that fact.

Do you think your background has influenced your work? If yes, how so.

I definitely think my background influenced my work. I paint what I know to be true, what I think to be true, and what I desire to be true.

I draw from my own imagination but also from my surroundings, the barren winter Minnesota trees, small birds that you would see in the city, and I like to show the extraordinary in the regular women I see every day.

Being a woman of color myself as well – I feel that I have a certain inherent interest and also responsibility in expressing a certain perspective...


I feel like to be a true artist you have to begin to create from what you are – only then can it be genuine. This is my humble opinion of course but it has held true for work I produce myself.

What are the main themes/ ideas behind your work?

I don’t think I necessarily use conscious themes, at least not often. I work more off of feelings, but if I must identify themes I would say solitude, not in a melancholy way but a pensive manner is a common element, the image of the woman of color is a common element as well. Nature and human relation is a common theme as well.

For a Thousand Ships
Do you seek to convey a particular message with each piece? Is that a part of your creative process?

No, I usually sketch and sketch and sketch until I create something that feels like it represents me but came from someone else --- I don’t know if that makes sense but sometimes the work can almost develop itself – and then I like to work from that idea. I rarely work from a message; again I work from feelings – especially feelings from my subjects if it’s a portrait.

I like my paintings to be individuals in themselves – their own entity, separate from the person I was portraying, but they always have their own truth in the one they are representing.


Any favorite artists? How have they influenced you?

I think that in terms of visual style, I am very inspired by the work of Frank Morrison and also Mark Ryden. My work could never be confused with theirs but I have taken a lot from them in the use of color, texture, and from Frank some stylistic elements. I also adore Frida Kamau – her paintings are totally inspirational to me.

A Red Sky at Night by Daisy Giles
What's your vision for where you'd like your work to be in 5, 10 and 20 years?

I have absolutely NO idea! I had no idea 5 years ago that my work would be where it is today … all I can say it that I want to keep exploring new mediums and new avenues for creative expression. I’d love to continue to learn more about woodworking and work in sculpture and develop myself musically as well. Right now --- painting and printing is my focus but I would love and plan to expand.

Digital Collage by Daisy Giles
Where can we see more of your artwork? Do you have a blog/ website?

www.etsy.com/shop/daisygiles - SHOP

www.facebook.com/daisygilesartist

www.daisygiles.tumblr.com

www.twitter.com/daisygiles

www.daisygiles.com --- OFFICIAL SITE

[email protected]

Parting Words/Thoughts?

I hope my work touches you in the way it touches me- that is all I can ask for! Feel free to email me!