Gabriela Klerian shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Gabriela, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building, and what most people never really see, is everything that happens behind the scenes in the studio…the discipline, the patience, the fun, the chaos, and the consistency it takes to keep creating when no one’s watching.
STUDIOKLERIAN for me, has always been more than the artwork itself. It’s this space I’ve built around craft and emotion. It is the space where I can explore ideas, make mistakes, reflect, start over, and let things evolve slowly.
People usually see the final piece, but they don’t get to see the layers of trial and error, or the moments of doubt that come before it feels right. That invisible process is what I’m most proud of, because it’s what gives meaning to everything that eventually becomes visible.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a visual artist working where intuition, experimentation, and emotional storytelling meet. My work is often driven by process as much as outcome. I’m drawn to texture, layers, imperfections and truth.
What I believe makes my practice special is that it’s deeply personal. I want the work to create a pause, an invitation to slow down. I treat the painting process like an emotional excavation, not just aesthetics. My work doesn’t chase trends; it’s more about creating something that feels honest and hopefully resonates with others on that gut level too.
Right now, I’m working on a new body of work that has pushed me in an exciting direction: color. Pieces are named after Paris neighborhoods, as a tribute to the vibrancy of the city. I am fond of places and experiences where you can overlap expectations, hopes, history, heartbreak, longing. I’m trying to capture that mix; how a place can hold both chaos and calm, color and shadow, all at once. This series feels like a turning point for me…more expressive, more open, more colorful.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The first time I set foot on a stage for my ballet recital, I had this sudden, powerful realization of what it truly means to express from your whole self. Standing there, moving with the music, I felt how much energy and emotion you can convey without saying a word. In that moment, even though I clearly didn’t realize it consciously at that time, I understood that art isn’t just about technique; it’s about connection and storytelling. That experience sparked a deep need in me to keep exploring creative paths, always searching for that personal joy that comes from expressing something meaningful beyond myself.
I continued dancing ballet for many years after that, but over time, I also started exploring the visual arts. I was drawn to the different kinds of power painting and drawing held. I discovered that colors, textures, and forms could express emotion and tell stories in ways movement couldn’t. Eventually, I decided to pursue painting professionally, which led me to move to Italy to build a career in Painting and Artistic Graphics.
Looking back, that first moment on stage was really just the beginning of a long journey of exploring different ways to communicate and connect through art.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
For a long time, I believed that as an artist, I had to have a clear idea of exactly what I wanted to paint before I even started, a vision of what the final piece should look like. I didn’t allow myself to get lost in the process or embrace uncertainty. I thought not knowing was a weakness.
But over time, I changed my mind about that completely. I learned that it’s actually okay not to know everything upfront. I started to understand that each piece has its own life and needs its own time to grow. Sometimes that means working on several pieces at once, giving each space to evolve on its own terms.
This shift in thinking opened up a whole new way of working for me. Letting go of control and trusting the process brought a freedom and richness to my work that I hadn’t experienced before. It taught me that not knowing isn’t a failure, it’s part of the journey.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
When someone asks me to create a custom piece, it’s really important for me to listen to what they’re imagining, to really try to get what they’re dreaming of, but without losing my own creative flow. It’s kind of a delicate balancing act, making sure the work stays true to my style while also matching their expectations.
One thing I’m really committed to is making each custom piece feel super personal. I always try to include elements of the client’s own story or experiences; a color that reminds them of a special place, a shape that holds meaning, or an emotion they want the piece to express. That way, the artwork becomes a meaningful part of their home.
I want to make sure the piece was made just for that person and that space, like it belongs there from the very start. It’s not always easy, but when it clicks, it’s such a great feeling, for both parts.
At the end of the day, it’s about teamwork and trust, it’s about committing to making something that feels right on every level, no matter how long it takes or how many cups of coffee it takes to get there.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I guess I’d love people to think that I created from a place of personal need and honesty, not just aesthetics.
I hope people remember that I cared about making work that connected; something that made them feel something, even if they couldn’t quite explain what or why. Also, that I let myself grow, try new things, take risks, and just keep showing up, even when things weren’t perfect.
But honestly, if the people who knew me smile when they think about me, I’d feel more than happy. I’d feel like I did a pretty good job on this journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.studioklerian.com
- Instagram: @studioklerian
