DJ Gaskin has explored oil, watercolor, photography and mosaic, primarily focused now on acrylic and mixed-media collage and book arts.  Drawing on her love of the wild, nature is a common theme in her work. “I gravitate toward nature as an extension of or companion to human nature,” she says. “Integrating pieces of the earth or other natural representations into my art feels similar to how I use nature metaphors in poetry, as symbols for the man-made elements of life that draw on our natural instincts.”

Her fascination with texture and layers drives much of DJ’s work. She explains, “I’m drawn to the tactile sense of handmade papers. I love the fibrous textures of many Thai and Japanese papers and in creating a collage I often work varieties of these in with other handmade, decorative or found papers, along with three-dimensional objects.”

DJ’s passion for paper is also demonstrated in her handmade journals, the covers of the hardbacks resembling a mini-collage, each a one-of-a-kind piece of art. In her handmade cards she calls “haikugami,” she uses mostly handmade papers and incorporates origami figures and original haiku on themes of birthday celebration, thanks-giving, compassion, travel and more.

DJ is a member of the National Collage Society, Springfield Art Guild, Del Ray Artisans, and The Art League at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria.  Exhibits have included:  

Crossroads Gallery at The Goodwin House – solo exhibit: A Passion for Paper – August-October 2010
The Art League Curves exhibit – May-June 2010 (Honorable Mention Award)

The Workhouse at Lorton Greenspiration – May-June 2010

Zig Zag, The Plains, Va., Paper Stew – April 2010

International Au Natural exhibit at Clatsop College – Feb. 25-April 8, 2010

New Works Faculty, Student & Staff show, The Workhouse at Lorton - January 2010 

Bits & Pieces collage exhibit during New Rochelle ArtsFest (New York) – October 2009 (invitational)

A Running Commentary exhibit, Girls Gotta Run Foundation, Washington DC - October 2009 

The Art League Annual Landscape show – August-Sept. 2009

Fairfax Government Center Springfield Art Guild summer exhibit – July-Sept. 2009

Del Ray Artisans Mixed Media Multiplied – July 2009

Del Ray Artisans Bond for Life – June 2009

Del Ray Artisans Celebrate the Art of Making – April 2009

Del Ray Artisans Nocturne – January 2009 

Del Ray Artisans From Our Trees – October 2008 

The Workhouse at Lorton Grand Opening show – September 2008

Del Ray Artisans Picture Me – September 2008 

Del Ray Artisans As We Are: the Enduring Nude – July 2008

 

Visit Stifel & Capra for DJ's journals and art books. 

       Inquiries