Project Description
Anastasia Gatto
Artist Statement
When I was a young girl I found in a family scrapbook a watercolor painted by my
mother of the island in Greece she left behind. Years went by, but somehow I always
knew I, too, would paint. Many classes and workshops later, I find myself constantly
experimenting with different techniques. Because I don’t have a preconceived idea of
what a painting will finally be, to be successful I have to let go, move out of my comfort
zone, and allow the work to evolve on its own. My hope is that viewers will appreciate
whatever subject I paint and see my work through my eyes.
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Pennsylvania, Anastasia grew up in southern New Jersey and now lives in
Auburn, Maine. Her interest in art began in early childhood, and she became a full
time artist in 1997. A daily painter, she works in oil, encaustic, and pastel. Anastasia
primarily paints the landscape and is best known for her color choices and her
impressionistic style. She has also been recognized nationally and internationally for her
portraiture and animal pastels. Her goal is to capture the essence of the beauty she sees
around her and to share it with others. A member of the Plein Air Painters of Maine, she is also a signature member of the
Pastel Society of Maine.
Awards
2017 Wholesale Frame Company Award Connecticut Pastel Society “Renaissance in Pastel” Vernon, CT
2016 Amadeus Award 8th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Pastel Society of New Hampshire “It’s Pastel” Portsmouth, NH
2016 Richeson Merit Award 17th International Juried Exhibition for Pastel Only Portland, ME
2015 Dick Black Award Connecticut Pastel Society “Renaissance in Pastel” Stamford, CT
2014 Honorable Mention, Holiday Members Show, Pastel Painters of Maine, Bath, ME
2006 First Place Westbrook Art Festival, Westbrook, ME
2004 Best of Show, L/A Art Festival, Lewiston, ME
2001 Honorable Mention, Regional Juried Exhibition, Norway, ME
Available Work
Anastasia Gatto ‘Approaching Storm’ Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Blue Heaven’ Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rolling’ Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Autumn Afternoon’ Encaustic on Panel 41” x 31” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Sea Fog’ Encaustic on Panel 25”x13” $2835
Anastasia Gatto ‘Beyond the Shore’ Encaustic on Panel 37″x37″ $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Coastal Islands’ Encaustic on Panel 37″x37″ $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Shore Break’ Encaustic on Panel 25”x13” $2835
Anastasia Gatto ‘Foggy Marsh’ Encaustic on Panel 25”x13” $2835
Anastasia Gatto ‘Coastal Breeze’ Encaustic on Panel 49”x25” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rocky Walk’ Encaustic on Panel 30”x40” $6415
Anastasia Gatto ‘On the Edge’ Encaustic on Panel 49”x 37” $8925
Anastasia Gatto ‘Golden Pond’ Pastel on Paper 23.5”x16.5″ Framed $2545
Anastasia Gatto ‘Three Trees’ Pastel on Paper 24″x24″ Framed $2545
Anastasia Gatto “Evening Dazzle” 15.5″x13.5 Framed Pastel on Paper $1840
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rooftops’ Pastel on Paper 20”x17” $1880
Anastasia Gatto ‘Evening Dazzle II’ Pastel on Paper 20″x20″ Framed $2545
Past Work
Anastasia Gatto “Evening Glow” Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Hazy II’ Encaustic on Panel 18.5″ x 18.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Tranquility’ Encaustic on Panel 60″x40″ Private Commission
Anastasia Gatto ‘Gathering Storm’ Encaustic on Panel 49”x 37” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Misty’ Encaustic on Panel 41”x31” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘End of Summer’ Encaustic on Panel 49”x25” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Ocean Curl’ Encaustic on Panel 49″x25″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto “Breaking Waves” Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Breaking Surf’ Encaustic on Panel 24″x12″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rolling Waves’ Encaustic on Panel 49”x 25” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Beyond the Sea’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Sea Spray’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Salt Marsh’ Encaustic on Panel 36” x 36” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rocky Top’ Encaustic on Panel 36″x36″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Mist on the Marsh’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Red & Yellow’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Mystic Sea’ Encaustic on Panel 36″x36″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Cliff’s Edge’ Encaustic on Panel 40″x30″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Crashing Waves’ Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25.5” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Sea Mist’ Encaustic on Panel 49″x25.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Perfect Storm’ Encaustic on Panel 36” x 36” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rocky Climb’’ Encaustic on Panel 36” x 36” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Storm IV’ Encaustic on Panel 16” x 16” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Seaside Path’ Encaustic on Panel 16” x 16” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Mantel Of Mystery II’ Encaustic on Panel 24” x 12” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rugged Coast’ Encaustic on Panel 17″x17″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Offshore Breeze’ Encaustic on Panel 40”x30” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Let Light’ Pastel on Paper 23″x27″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Morning Walk’ Encaustic on Panel 16” x 16” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Awakening’ Pastel on Paper 14″x21″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Summer Haze’ Encaustic on Panel 24″x48″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Along the Coast’ Encaustic on Panel 26″x14″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Red & Gold’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Fall Marsh’ Encaustic on Panel 49.5″x29.5″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Wild Flowers’ Encaustic on Panel 17″x17″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Tranquil Waters’ Encaustic on Panel 24″x12″ SOLD
Anastasia Gatto ‘Call of the Sea’ Encaustic on Panel 41”x 32” SOLD
Anastasia Gatto “Evening Shimmer” Encaustic on Panel 49” x 25” SOLD
Videos
Pastel as Process
My first attraction to pastel was the luscious velvety texture. It is pure pigment with no medium needed to break it down. Pastel is direct and tactile so there is immediate gratification with this medium.
I was drawn to an ethereal style, and found that effect through JMW Turner and sought to translate his method somewhat into my pastels and encaustics. I also admire Monet, Manet, Degas, Sargent, Velasquez, George Inness, and Renoir to name a few which led me to a path of Impressionism or for the techniques that impressed me.
The process of pastel is very different in many ways from encaustic. Texture for pastel can be achieved in a variety of ways such as adding pumice gels to add grit, rougher sanded paper, or fixative to name a few. The encaustic texture is the building up with paint and medium. (Pure pigment with beeswax and resin) After applied it must be burned in (fused) with either a heat gun or blowtorch.
The common bond that pastel has with encaustic is the layering. Pastel is grazing color on top of color which adds depth or a fixative can be used, whereas encaustic shows multiple layers with each fusing.
My transitioning into encaustic has changed to where seascapes and marshes are my desire, as well as continuing to paint the landscape. My primary subject for pastel was landscape, portraits, animals, and still life.
Presently I am painting solely in encaustic, but still love and will never say goodbye to pastel.
