Patricia Gagic

Patricia’s Soul Art Day Interview

What shaped you as an artist?

One of the influences on my artistic life and practice is the transcendental realist artist, Adi Da Samraj. He speaks about the function of art in a way perfectly giving voice to my intention. He writes, “True art heals, true art restores equanimity. Art must regenerate the sense of well-being. That is its true purpose.” This regeneration of well-being is an overarching purpose in my method and is the context of an intellectual consideration around image-making. It is my experience that well-being resides as an already-present condition in the domain of the esoteric rather than exoteric world of things and strategies designed to make us feel better, or safe, or at ease.

The works of Wassily Kandinsky (1922) further inspire my attraction to complexity/simplicity paradox as the mathematics in his work harmonized aspects of my feeling with understanding and brought a joyful knowing and sense of something beyond the images themselves.

My long-time mentor and dear friend, master artist, Dragan Dragic (who I was blessed to meet and study with in France since 1999) has deeply inspired me through his conception of the extraordinary depth he reveals in the palette of Matisse. Dragan surrendered himself to these secrets in a lifelong journey of revelation and dedication bringing me cause to examine and view his work with an appreciation of and engagement. Dragan encouraged me to see the beauty of abstraction lies in the various underlying hypostases combining or being in dynamic relationship in such a way as to become conscious to the viewer as a living process.

As an artist, I look to find clues in the works of the great masters like Paul Emile Bourduas and Franz Kline… they are dynamic interpreters of boldness with monochromatic staging where black was equally as powerful as white and required careful fluid strength providing an ocean of plankton, food for the conceptual work to be done. The essence of my work is also rooted in the examination of the Chinese/French artist Zao Wou Ki and the French artist Pierre Soulages.

Music has been a huge part of my creative path. In 2021, Greg DiFrancesco (professional percussionist) who I met when I was 12 years old encouraged me to sit behind a drum kit. His ability to interpret the language of music was breathtaking and ignited my curiosity. I played guitar (poorly) many years ago, but always had a desire to tackle the drums. The synapses were aligned, and I became obsessively smitten with drumming. Leaning into funk jazz by Pat Metheny ripped a new vein open. Meeting the family of Neil Peart (late drummer of Rush) engineered a new capacity for my brain to believe. His niece Hannah and her husband Alex have become family.

My father John Joseph Semeniuk held me captive with his deep understanding of the law of generosity. My life was encouraged by his very humble beginnings and stamina. My mother has been a steadfast supporter. Unfortunately, my father passed a month after my 25th birthday at the age of 52 and the loss to this day is still felt. My mother just celebrated her 90th birthday! Without a doubt my husband, Dr. Ned Gagic has been a source of great inspiration. A constant support and dynamic force fuelling me to push harder and do better always.

On a motivational level, I am deeply moved by my very good friend Glenn Morshower. He is best known for playing Secret Service agent Aaron Pierce in 24 and in multiple other feature films. I was so lucky to meet Glenn a decade ago via Craig Duswalt’ s Rock Star event. Glenn wrote the foreword to my book Karmic Alibi. He continues to teach his mastery course The Extra Mile and is now collaborating with Ken Walls (another very close friend) from Dallas, Texas. Their epic Ken and Glenn – Momentum Masters program is moving the needle upwards on changing lives.

Prius Vita Quam Doctrina… Life is more important than doctrine. I acknowledge all who own their individual way and inspire me to keep my unbreakable promise. “To own the creation of the world I want, as an occupation.”

How would you describe your creative process?

Patricia Gagic’s art is a visceral journey into the abstract, where the boundaries of form and color dissolve into a powerful emotional narrative. Each of her canvases is a testament to the complexity of the human spirit, evoking both the chaos and serenity that co-exist within us. Gagic’s work is not just seen; it is felt, resonating deeply within the viewer long after the first encounter. Her paintings, as seen in the attached images, are a vibrant symphony of color and texture. The bold strokes of black and white juxtapose with vibrant hues of blue, red, and gold, creating a dynamic tension that captivates the eye. This contrast between light and dark, movement and stillness, embodies the duality of existence that Gagic so masterfully explores. Her brushwork is both spontaneous and deliberate, suggesting a dance between the conscious and the unconscious, where each stroke is a moment of pure expression.

Patricia is described by some as a Renaissance polymath. She is forward-thinking-moving, a blend of kinetic and disciplined energy. Gagic’s work is deeply rooted in a spiritual understanding of the world. There is a sense of transcendence in her use of color and form, as if each painting is a meditation on the infinite possibilities of the human experience. The swirling patterns and layered textures draw the viewer into a contemplative state, inviting them to explore their own inner landscapes. Gagic’s art is a mirror reflecting the viewer’s soul, a space where personal interpretation is not only welcomed but essential. What sets Gagic apart is her ability to balance the abstract with the deeply personal. Her paintings are not just abstract compositions; they are narratives of her own experiences, infused with a profound sense of introspection. There is a raw, unfiltered quality to her work that speaks to the vulnerability and strength inherent in the human condition. Gagic’s art is a journey through the depths of emotion, a visual exploration of the complexities of life. In a world where art can often feel detached, Patricia Gagic’s work is a refreshing reminder of the power of genuine expression. Her paintings are not just to be viewed, but to be experienced, offering a deeply emotional and spiritual connection that is both rare and transformative. Gagic’s art is an invitation to delve into the abstract, to find meaning in the chaos, and to embrace the beauty of imperfection. Her goals are sometimes audacious to expand the vision of possibility and elevation with artistic potential.

What does your art say to you?

“Motivated by the delicate balancing of elements of the past, choices made in the present and a powerful intention to change the future, each thought and intuition becomes master to the emergence of form and method in my art making. Complexity is a key frame. The infinity of possible iterations of a form is a fascination intellectually and in terms of my method. It drives how I engage with materials in the search for what is luminous to the eye and transcendent in meaning to the heart. My art is intended to point to what is greater than the conventional and logic-based point-of-view.”