Meet The Team
Gemma Gylling
ARTIST – Wildlife artist and photographer!
Bill Gylling
GEMMA’S BETTER HALF, BILL – and…… artist supporter!
Rebel Gylling
CHIEF STUDIO DOG – A very intricate part of the coming and going in the studio.
Dillon Gylling
ASSISTANT STUDIO DOG – Dillon tries hard to fill Rebel’s shoes, but she’s just not quite there yet!
About
American Artist…….. Gemma Gylling
Gemma is a self-taught artist whose artwork is enjoyed by many animal art collectors all over the world, her artwork is published in numerous books and she’s an Author of Art books. Applying several layers of colored pencils allows Gemma to simulate the look of an oil or acrylic painting each piece can take up to 350 hours to create.
Growing up on a small ranch in Southern California, Gemma Gylling developed her love of nature, animals and creativity. Gemma currently lives in Valley Springs, California with her husband, Bill and their two dogs.
“BFF’s – Save the Elephants”, colored pencil on suede mat board, 16″ x 24″
An avid traveler, Gemma thrives in locals that allow her the opportunity to photograph the wildlife. In addition to most of the United States, Gemma has also traveled to Costa Rica, Alaska, South Africa, Africa and Canada. The reference photos Ms. Gylling uses for her paintings are from her Wildlife Safari trip in South Africa and many other areas.
Gemma, as a signature member of Artists for Conservation, pledges a portion of her sales to Animal Conservation groups including PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) and the National Wildlife Federation. Gemma volunteers as a Docent for the Lions and Elephants at the PAWS Sanctuary in San Andreas, California.
Gemma is also a juried member and signature of Society of Animal Artists, a signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and a member of the Placerville Arts Association. She’s been accepted in numerous exhibitions all over the world and has also won several awards in those exhibitions.
When asked what inspires her Gemma says, “The Animals speak to me in a very special way and because of that I try to help them speak to you through my art. I strive to portray the velvet touch of their fur, the sound of their roar or the plight they are living to simply exist”.
Group Shows
- Artists for Conservation 17th Annual Exhibition, 2024
- Fusion Art – 9th Annual Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition – June 2024
- ArtTour International Magazine Cover Contest – March 2024
- Fusion Art – 8th Annual Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition – December 2023
- Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – December 2023
- 31st Annual Colored Pencil Society of America, International Exhibition, 2023
- Artists for Conservation 16th Annual Exhibition, 2023
- Artist Magazine 39th Annual – Art Competition – 2023
- Colored Pencil Magazine Art Competition – 2022
- International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 131 – October 2022
- Artists for Conservation 15th Annual Exhibition, 2022
- 29th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America, International Exhibition, 2021
- Artists for Conservation 14th Annual Exhibition, 2021
- 54th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2020
- 28th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America, International Exhibition, 2020
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2020
- Artists for Conservation 13th Annual Exhibition, 2020
- Society of Animal Artists 60th Annual Exhibition 2020
- Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – December 2019
- 27th Annual Colored Pencil Society of America, International Exhibition, 2019
- Society of Animal Artists 59th Annual Exhibition & Art and the Animal Museum Tour, 2019
- Artists for Conservation 12th Annual Exhibition, 2019
- Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – November 2018
- International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 107 – October 2018
- 52nd Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2018
- Society of Animal Artists 58th Annual Exhibition, 2018
- Artists for Conservation 11th Annual International Exhibit of Nature in Art, August 2018
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – May 2018
- 2018 13th International ARC Salon Competition – Finalist 2017
- Artistic Excellence Competition – Southwest Art Magazine
- Artists for Conservation 10th Annual International Exhibit of Nature in Art, September 2017
- Artists for Conservation Gallery Tour, 2017-2018, Exhibit Tour in – Qingdao City, China
- Colored Pencil Society of America 25nd International Exhibition, 2017
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – June 2017
- 50th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2016
- Colored Pencil Society of America 24nd International Exhibition
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – December 2015
- Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, Animals Exhibition 2015
- Colored Pencil Society, Chapter 210, 4th Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil, 2015
- Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – August 2015
- 49th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2015
- Artists for Conservation 8th Annual International Exhibit of Nature in Art, September 2015
- Society of Animal Artists 55th Annual Exhibition, 2015
- Artists for Conservation 2014-15, Gallery Tour – Buckhorn, Ontario, August, 2015 -Alvin Sherman Library Gallery, Nova Southeastern University, May, 2015 – Miramar Cultural Center, April 2015 -Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, January 2015 – Christmas Show at Open Road Infiniti, December 2014
- Artists for Conservation 7th Annual International Exhibit of Nature in Art, October 2014
- Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, Animals Exhibition 2014
- Colored Pencil Society, Chapter 210, 3rd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil, 2014
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2014
- Colored Pencil Society of America 22nd International Exhibition
- Artists for Conservation: One Brushstroke at a Time Exhibition, May 2014
- Lodi Community Art Center’s 54th Spring Art Exhibition, 2014
- Linus Galleries, Animal Exhibition – February 2014
- Light Space and Time – All Photography Art Exhibition – February 2014
- Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2013 Photography Exhibition
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – October 2013
- Colored Pencil Society, Chapter 210, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil, 2013
- 47th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2013
- AFC Annual Exhibition – Artists for Conservation, Virtual and Live Exhibition 2013
- 14th Annual FMP Members
- Exhibit Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2012 Photography Exhibition
- Colored Pencil Society of America 21st International Exhibition
- 46th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2012
- Colored Pencil Society of America 20th International Exhibition
- 7th Annual Sacramento Fine Arts – Animal House, Juried Show, 2012
- Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2011
- Photography Exhibition Placerville Art Association 2011
- Artists For Conservation Annual Juried Exhibition 2011
- Colored Pencil Society of America 19th International Exhibition
- 12th Annual FMP Member Exhibition
- Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – March 2011
- Ironstone Vineyards 14th Annual Spring Obsession Art Competition
- 22nd Annual Delicato Vineyards Fine Art Show
- Explore This 7 Exhibition – Colored Pencil Society of America
- 44th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2010
- Artists For Conservation Annual Juried Art Exhibition 2010
- Judith Ryan Williams Nature / Wildlife Art Exhibition – St. Augustine Art Association
- Western States Horse Expo 2010
- 11th Annual FMP Members
- Exhibit Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s – “29th Annual Spring Photography Contest”
- Canine Art Guild – “The Company Dogs Keep” Online Exhibition
- International Guild of Realism’s Fourth Annual Juried Exhibition, Weatherburn Gallery, Naples, FL
- Colored Pencil Society of America 16th International Exhibition
- 9th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- International Guild of Realism, Leading Masters of Contemporary Realism Exhibit
- Canine Art Guild – Artist’s Best Friend Online Exhibition
- 8th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Carriage Factory Gallery – Man’s Best Friend Show
- Colored Pencil Society of America 14th International Exhibition
- 7th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Colored Pencil Society of America 13th International Exhibition
- 6th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- 5th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Sacramento Fine Arts Center, Bold Expressions
- 4th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- California State Fair, Big Fun!
- 3th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
Awards & Accomplishments
- Artistic Excellence – Fusion Art – Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition – June 2024
- Honorable Mention – ArtTour International Magazine Cover Contest – March 2024
- Honorable Mention – Fusion Art – Animal Kingdom Art Exhibition – December 2023
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – December 2023
- Grand Master in CP Treasures Book, Vol. 9 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from Around the Globe Artwork – 2023
- Honorable Mention – Animal/Wildlife – Artist Magazine 39th Annual – Art Competition – 2022
- Finalist – International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 131 – October/November 2022
- Best in Show – Artist for Conservation 11th Annual Exhibition, 2021
- Medal of Excellence – Artist for Conservation 11th Annual Exhibition, 2021
- People’s Choice Award – 54th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – Placerville Arts Association 2020
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2020
- Honorable Mention – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2020
- Artwork featured in the February 2020, issue of Color Magazine, Vol. 242
- 4th Place, Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition, Painting & Other Media Category – December 2019
- 8th Place, Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition, OverAll Category – December 2019
- Schmeedle Award, Society of Animal Artists, 59th Annual Exhibition and Art and the Animal Tour, 2019
- Featured in International Artist Magazine, October/November-2019, #129 issue (10 page spread)
- Artists for Conservation, Conservation Artist of the Month Award, 2019, for more info click here!
- Colored Pencil Society of America, 10-Year Signature Award, 2019
- Society of Animal Artists, Signature Award, 2019
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – November 2018
- 10th Place – Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – Painting Other Category – November 2018
- Finalist – International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 107 – October/November 2018
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – May 2018
- Runner Up – 2017 Artistic Excellence Competition, Southwest Art Magazine
- Best in Show, Cippy Award – Colored Pencil Society of America 25th International Exhibition, 2017
- Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 10, Published by North Light Books, 2017
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – June 2017
- Best in Show – 50th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – 2016
- Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 9, Published by North Light Books
- Artist of the Month – December 2015 www.artistsofthemonth.net
- Special Recognition Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – December 2015
- First Place, CPSA – DC210, 4th Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2015
- Honorable Mention – CPSA, DC210, 4th Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2015
- Honorable Mention – 49th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition – 2015
- Painting & Other Award 4th place – Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – August 2015
- Overall Winning Artists, top 10 – Light Space and Time – Nature Art Exhibition – August 2015
- Best in Show, Colors of Humanity Art Gallery, Animals Exhibition 2014
- 2nd Place, CPSA, DC210, 3rd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil 2014
- Overall Winning Artists, top 10 – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2014
- Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2014
- Honorable Mention, Painting & Other – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – August 2014
- Special Recognition Award – Light Space and Time – All Photography Exhibition – February 2014
- Third Place – Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2013
- Photography Exhibition Special Merit Award – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – October 2013
- 1st Place, CPSA, DC210, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil
- Honorable Mention, CPSA, DC210, 2nd Annual Exhibition, Explorations in Colored Pencil
- People’s Choice Award – 46th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition
- Award of Excellence – 46th Annual Mother Lode National Art Exhibition
- Signature Merit Member – Colored Pencil Society of America
- Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 5, published by North Light Books
- First Place – Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center -2011 Photography Exhibition
- First Place – Animal Category – Placerville Art Association
- Second Place – Animal Category – Placerville Art Association
- Third Place – Animal Category – Placerville Art Association
- People’s Choice Award – Placerville Art Association
- Juried into Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 4, published by North Light Books
- Honorable Mention – 12th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Special Recognition – Light Space and Time – Animals Exhibition – March 2011
- Second Place Winner CP Division – Western States Horse Expo 2010
- Signature Member – Artists For Conservation Foundation
- Best of Wildlife – International Guild of Realism 4th Annual Exhibition – Weatherburn Gallery
- Signature Member – Colored Pencil Society of America
- Best of Figurative – International Guild of Realism – Leading Masters of Contemporary Realism Exhibit
- Best in Show – Carriage Factory Gallery – Man’s Best Friend Show
- Honorable Mention – 7th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Second Place – 6th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Best of People’s Choice Award – 6th Annual FMP Members Exhibit
- Award of Merit – California State Fair, Big Fun!
Publications
- ArtTour International Magazine Cover Contest – March 2024
- Finalist – International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 131 – October/November 2022
- Artwork featured in Artists for Conservation’s 2022 conservation calendar.
- Artwork featured in CP Treasures Book, Vol. 7 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from around the Globe Artwork
- Artwork featured in the February 2020, issue of Color Magazine, Vol. 242
- Article in International Artist Magazine, October/November-2019, #129 issue (10 page spread)
- International Artist Magazine Challenge No. 107 – Finalist, Artwork featured in Oct/Nov 2018, Issue
- Artwork Featured in Color Magazine – February 2018 Volume 218
- Runner Up – 2017 Artistic Excellence Competition, Southwest Art Magazine
- Artwork featured in Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 10, published by North Light Books
- Artwork featured in CP Treasures Book, Vol. 5 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from around the Globe Artwork
- Featured in Color Magazine – April 2017 Volume 208
- Artwork featured in Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 9, published by North Light Books
- Art Journey Animals – North Light Books 2016
- The Pencil Box – December 2015, Colored Pencil Pusher
- The Showcase – November 2015 Issue, Color Magazine
- Sharpened Artist Podcast Interview
- Artist for Conservation Exhibition 2015 Publication
- Gemma’s own online video Class Colored Pencil Techniques for Wild Animals! Produced by Craftsy
- Gemma’s own online video Class Pet Portraits in Colored Pencil! Produced by Craftsy
- Gemma’s own book! CP Cats A Complete Guide to Wild and Domestic Cats, in Colored Pencil
- Artist for Conservation Exhibition 2014 Publication
- Artwork featured in CP Treasures Book, Vol. 3 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from around the Globe.
- Artwork featured in CP Treasures Book, Vol. 2 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from around the Globe.
- Artwork featured in an article in the Mountain Democrat, August 11, 2013
- Pencil Artist of the Week – Studio 602, Exploring Creating in Music and the Arts, July 2013
- Artist for Conservation Exhibition 2013 Publication
- Artwork featured in Sessions with Colored Pencil Masters, Home Study Course, by Sandra Angelo
- Artwork featured in Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 5, published by North Light Books
- Artwork on the cover of the July 2012 issue of the CP Colored Pencil Artists Magazine
- The Showcase – May 2012 issue of the Colored Pencil Magazine
- Artwork featured in CP Treasures Book – Vol. 1 – Colored Pencil Masterworks from around the Globe.
- The Showcase – August 2011 issue of the Colored Pencil Magazine
- Artwork featured in Strokes of Genius, Best of Drawing 4, published by North Light Books
- Colored Pencil Artists and Lovers on Facebook – Featured Artist July 2011
- The Showcase – May 2011 issue of the Colored Pencil Magazine
- The Showcase – February 2011 issue of the Colored Pencil Magazine
- Artwork on the cover of the first edition of Colored Pencil Magazine
- Featured in an article in the first edition of Colored Pencil Magazine Signature Showcase published by CPSA
- Artist for Conservation Exhibition 2010 Publication
- The Showcase – July, 10 Issue, FMP Magazine
- Artwork Featured in Art Supply Warehouse Catalog 2010
- Artwork Featured in Jerry’s Art Catalog 2010
- Artwork Featured in the book titled “Great Dogs Amazing Artists” published in 2009
- Photographer’s Forum Magazine’s – Annual “Best of Photography” Book
- Featured on the Cover – August 09 Issue, FMP Magazine
- Artwork Featured in a book – Colored Pencil Secrets for Success, By Ann Kullberg
- The Showcase – May 09 Issue, FMP Magazine
- Featured in an Article – April, 09 Issue, FMP Magazine
- Featured on the Cover – August, 08 Issue, FMP Magazine
- The Showcase – August 08 Issue, FMP Magazine
- The Showcase – January 08 Issue, FMP Magazine
- The Showcase – June 04 Issue, FMP Magazine
- The Showcase – September, 04 Issue, FMP Magazine
- The Showcase – July 02 Issue, Ann Kullberg’s FMP Magazine
- Artist for Conservation Exhibition 2012 Publication
Memberships
- Colored Pencil Society of America – National Board Member (7 years) and Signature Member
- Colored Pencil Society of America, District Chapter 210
- Society of Animal Artists – Juried Membership & Signature Member
- International Guild of Realism – Juried Membership
- Artists For Conservation, Worldwide Nature Artists Group – Juried Member & Signature Member
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Performing Animal Welfare Society – Gemma is a Docent to the Lions and Elephants
- Animal Defenders International – Volunteer
- Placerville Art Association
- Calaveras County Arts Council
- Pencil Art Society