Welcome to The Artery

Art and life are not separate realms.

Like facing mirrors, they reflect each other to infinity. This realisation has informed my teaching practice- facilitating Art Wisdom. Art is a way of getting in touch with our innermost self. It’s what binds together the different parts of our being: the physical, spiritual, emotional and intellectual. Making art gives us important insights and teaches us how to live life. What happens on the page, or the canvas, is a microcosm; the world in minature. A piece of paper and a few humble materials are, in fact, a safe and modest investment to exercise the muscles of freedom, experimentation, courage and self expression.

Most people think that art is something you can only do if you are brilliantly talented. So they have exiled and outsourced their own innate creativity. Making art brings ceremony and attentiveness to the connection between the interior and the exterior world. It allows aspects of the embedded, shadowy, inner self to separate and manifest in material form as an externalised object of contemplation and beauty.

No prior art experience is needed for these art processes. In this approach we are not looking for a specific outcome or product. The emphasis is on the journey not the destination. We work with what the Buddhists call “beginner mind”: not knowing and therefore being open and curious. Whatever results from each process is always a surprise: it wasn’t planned so it feels as if it created itself. You just enabled it to materialise. And very often, it carries a message of wisdom to you.

About Me

My name is Gabriella Kaplan. I grew up in Greece, studied art in Paris and exhibited in France, Sweden, Holland, Britain and South Africa. I started drawing at the same age as you did - we were all artists when we were children, remember?

I stepped out of the gallery circuit about 20 years ago and channeled my creativity into writing, film-making, teaching and raising a family. I have been teaching art, on and off, for over 30 years. For the past decade I have been facilitating creativity workshops from The Artery, my garden studio in Cape Town. 

No prior art experience is necessary. Anyone is welcome who is craving a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them.

Read more about my story

Testimonials

I wanted you to know how much I appreciate you... how extraordinarily thoughtfully you construct our art making experiences...and your gentle wisdom that you live. My life has been enriched by you and the magic of The Artery.

Tamara

If you are looking for connection with your creativity and for assistance in getting into the flow, Gabriella’s guided creativity workshops are the way to go. I was thrilled to sign up for her first guided virtual workshop after many great sessions at her studio. It is just as effective and an exciting new addition to her offering. I have always thought if only I could have her guide me into my studio practice everyday as she has a such a gift in getting the hand and heart to work together. I look forward to many more virtual sessions together!

Helen

Gabriella facilitates an extraordinary art process, using her voice to guide you towards exploring your unique creative process with curiosity, playfulness and trust. But key is silencing the inner critic sufficiently to trust your hands to produce what your heart wants to tell. You are held gently, safely and assuredly in this space.

Carla

Gabriella's wisdom, grace and deep guidance easily moved into the virtual realm and allowed me to find such depth in my process from the comfort of my home.

Shelley

Gabriella offers a rich entry point into the artwork and makes the process easily accessible. I come alive engaging in the art-making!

Gillian

Gabriella’s session allowed for a grounding and reflective meditation followed by ideas and questions that allowed me to connect deeply with feelings and thoughts and express myself spontaneously and creatively. The follow up group session was a wonderful authentic sharing of creativity and individuality.

Liane

Thanks for this wonderful session. I enjoyed the making of an 'art work' but the added gift of your guidance and intentions added abundantly to this. Look forward to the next one.

Marianthi

Digitally guided processes

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"All the arts we practice are apprenticeship. The big art is our life.”

-M.C. Richards 

(American poet, potter and teacher)

@ The Artery, making art is...

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1. A ritual act of reverence and connection (sketching my partner dozing in the armchair is an intimate ritual that gives me the space to notice our special relationship),

2. A source of huge discomfort and deep joy (struggle bringing transformation and getting “stuck” heralding a liberating breakthrough),

3. A place of comfortable belonging as well as wild freedom,

4. A meditation and a spiritual practice that grounds the spirit in dark times.

Read More About The Artery's Ethos