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Orvis
JUL 24, 2017 POSTED BY: NICOLE GAITAN FLY FISHING, NICOLE GAITAN, NICOLE GAITAN ART, ORVIS, ORVIS JACKSON HOLE


"So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise." Malcom X


Ahhhhh... finally, it's done! Nothing beats that feeling of accomplishment -- of looking back and being able to see the late nights, hours on your hands and knees, and excruciating back aches all coming to a close. If you've driven down Broadway in Jackson Hole recently, you may have noticed a new addition to the Orvis building -- 50 feet of nearly fluorescent colored trout. In my oh-so-typical fashion of making waves, with bright colors and bold lines, my 50 feet, or five fish spanning ten feet each, were installed this past Tuesday on the South side of the Orvis building.

Back Story

This past Spring, I was working on a mural project with Jackson Hole Public Art and Friends of Pathways at Summit High School when Carrie Geraci, the director of Public Art, sent me an email proposing that I apply for the Orvis commission. About 5 artists were asked to apply with a proposal of what they would install on the exterior South facing wall of the building. Over the next few weeks I drew up a proposal using previous paintings that I manipulated in Photoshop and sketched out on a drawing board and my proposal was chosen.

The Process

Once my proposal was selected, the work began. I now had to figure out how to create this monster of a piece! What kind of metal was I going to use? How was I going to get the metal cut into the shapes I needed? Jackson Hole Public Art was a huge help in guiding me on this journey and I'm grateful for all of the people that helped me along the way.

The first step was manipulating the design. I must have changed it about three or four times in Photoshop and we finally settled on the five trout swimming to the water. The cutouts were taken from two different original paintings of mine, Waterway and Cutty, that sold a few years back.

The second was driving out to Rexburg, ID to meet with Premier Powdercoating to discuss my options for metal, feeling the different metals and deciding how much detail I wanted when the metal was laser cut. These guys were awesome, I'm really looking forward to working with them again in the future.

From there, once the fish were approved and cut, I had to travel with five ten feet fish strapped in the back of my pickup truck over Teton Pass -- that was fun... and scary... and I soooo wish I had a photo of that, but I was just really happy to get those suckers out of the truck and into the two car garage that I laid them out in to paint over the next month.

Then came the painting. I had to first prime them. Then I painted them. Then came the multiple layers of sculptor's UV, chemical and weather protectant. Then the Z-Bars to hang them. AND ALL THE COFFEE for the late nights -- let's not forget the coffee.

Now that they're installed, I'm speechless. They look incredible! I'm grateful for the entire team. It really does take a village, as cheesy as it sounds!

My newest painting, Step, is named after the Vampire Weekend Song.

Across the Country
August 20, 2013 by nicolegaitan Leave a Comment (Edit)
I’ll be attending the following juried Art Shows in the next year. If you’re near Sarasota FL, San Antonio TX, Nashville TN or Scottsdale AZ, please come visit and support me! New works will be showcased at each one.



http://www.experiencescottsdale.com/event/43rd-annual-scottsdale-arts-festival/ MARCH 14-16


Scottsdale, AZ

12th Annual Downtown Sarasota Art & Craft Festival – Art Festival.com MARCH 22-23


Sarasota, FL

https://www.swschool.org/fiestaartsfairartists APRIL 19-20


San Antonio, TX

http://artshow.hardingacademy.org/podium/default.aspx?t=105613 MAY 1-3


Nashville, TN

The Process

August 17, 2013 by nicolegaitan Leave a Comment (Edit)
I’ve been working on a new style recently… I’ve always had a thing for horses and I want to focus on those things I am and aways have been passionate about. About a week ago I couldn’t get to sleep because I had this vision of painting in this new style… the minute I woke up, I ran to the local art supply store and grabbed new mediums to work in.

I am represented by Horizon Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, WY on King St across from the Snake River Grill. Please stop by to see me in September for the Fall Arts Festival. I’ll be painting live. EEP!