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Gayle Kabaker is a painter, writer, teacher and visual storyteller

Inside the studio: new work, inspiration, and a November workshop

See what I’ve been painting lately and learn to bring pattern into your own art.

Gayle Kabaker

Nov 7

READ IN APP

Excited to share my next workshop

with Jennifer Orkin Lewis

Painting People & Patterned Spaces
November 23, 1–3pm EST

Learn to paint expressive figures in spaces filled with texture, pattern, and personality — inspired by interiors, nature, and design.

All levels are welcome — from professional artists to those who’ve never painted or drawn before.

Can’t make it live? Choose the video-only option to follow along at your own pace.

Suggested donation: $40 - but pay-what-you-can — we want anyone who’s interested to be able to join!

Te read more and to sign up - click below!

Join workshop here

We have just one spot left in our Morocco workshop! AND it’s a single room! This literally never happens, the singles always go first. Maybe it is your spot…?

I’ve always used a fair amount of pattern in my paintings, but ever since seeing the David Hockney show last June, I’ve been obsessed with incorporating even more pattern into everything I paint.

CHANGE of PLANS

I thought I was going to paint lots of water — and people in water — while I was in Greece. For a few reasons, that didn’t really happen. Getting pneumonia meant I couldn’t go in the water, and we had quite a bit of chilly, rainy weather.

The five days I’d planned to paint nonstop after the retreat — in a gorgeous Airbnb right on the ocean — turned out to be a bit of a bust. It was cold and rainy, and the Airbnb wasn’t so great in lousy weather. So I left early!

I booked two nights at a nice hotel in Athens that also had a vegan restaurant. On my first morning there, I woke up with the idea that bedding — sheets, blankets, all of it — could be painted in a way similar to water. Since I hadn’t been able to paint water the way I’d hoped, I decided to follow that idea and photograph myself in bed instead.

So I did it — at 6 a.m., just like I take all my selfie references for paintings! I set up my tripod, put my phone on video, and got lots of great shots to paint from later. I tried some ideas in my sketchbook while still in Athens and then started painting when I got home.

I had so much fun painting these that I’ve decided to create a whole series for my show in Leland, Michigan, in August 2026. ( The opening is August 7! Details to come) It’s amazing how many similarities there are painting bedding and painting water!

“Bed 1” is now available as a print, and “Bed 2” will be in my shop soon. Giclée prints are available unframed, or framed in black, white, or natural wood

Shop Bed 1

I am experimenting! I used Derwent Inktense pencils for this sketchbook drawing. Pattern everywhere!

Love seeing my scarves out in the wild!

I love when people who have my scarf send me photos! (Nancy in Morocco and Diane in Greece) I have about six left. They’d make a great holiday present.

shop scarf

Here’s a peek of a commission I just finished. I can’t show the whole thing yet. Interested in a commission? I’m taking on clients for 2026. Write me for more information!