Already established as an International abstract artist, Gwen decided to paint a portrait of her beloved German Shepherd, Annie, who had just passed away. Losing Annie was a profound loss. The process of painting Annie's portrait was a healing experience that sparked a desire to do more for the animals that give us so much love and support. Gwen went to the local Humane Society and produced a series of paintings of Shelter Dogs. These dogs touched her soul as each personality jumped onto the canvas.

"Painting the portraits of the animals we love and trust is such a joy. I feel I have come full circle. Growing up on a farm in East Tennessee at the foothills of the majestic Smoky Mountains I was surrounded by all kinds of animals. They were my friends, my confidant, my constant companions…..they were pure in spirit. Being able to bring this feeling to the canvas is a gift I enjoy sharing".

As a child Gwen was given the ultimate gift of expressive freedom…she was allowed to draw and paint to her heart's content on the plain wallpaper of the old farmhouse. For years, her mother repapered the hallway each week, later regretting the loss of those early works.

Years later, Gwen saw her first original painting and was immediately captivated by its aliveness…but two decades would pass before she was fully able to nurture her artistic passion.

Gwen struggled with an internal "emptiness," as she searched for the proverbial key that would unleash her inhibitions for greatness. The missing element was buried deep within; her confidence was gently coaxed to the surface in an intense and rewarding journey of self-discovery.

Gwen's paintings are a reflection of life, immersed in unexpected layers of color and texture to reveal a remarkable vision that breathes new life into familiar images. One first notices the color…then witnesses the energy within. Her work has won multiple awards and has been selected for exhibition in the famous Fermoy Art Gallery, Kings Lynn, England, where it hangs alongside work by His Royal Highness Prince Philip. In addition, Gwen's work hangs in the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, New York, has been featured in one person shows in Hawaii, England, Washington, D.C. and Colorado.

Gwen has been referred to as the "bridge between art and spirituality" in the workshops she conducts in England and the United States. Her gift as a teacher parallels her talents as a painter. She has forged a new paradigm in the world of art as she helps her students tap into their inner strength and peel away limiting blocks. Clarity emerges in the midst of this path to self discovery and intuitive creativity, which energizes and empowers the spirit.

By relating her story of self-discovery, Gwen gently guides her students to remove the cumbersome masks placed upon them by the ideals of others. She empowers them to believe in their ability to reach that secret place, their core essence…their intuitive spirit.