A woman standing in front of a gallery wall with abstract floral paintings by Gina Mead, wearing sunglasses, white shirt, and light blue pants.

GINA MEAD

Born 1959, Rome, Italy

Lives and works in Laguna Beach, California

“To become a painter, I felt one doesn’t paint by being an English major. One paints by painting, full time.” — Joan Mitchell

Gina Mead is a visionary artist whose journey is as captivating as her artwork.

With a BFA from Indiana University and an MFA from Laguna College of Art and Design, Gina further grounded her education by studying landscapes, oceans, and skies; painting both En Plein Aire and in her studio. Her interests shifted later on as she studied the New York Painters of Abstract Expressionism for their freedom of expression and their experimental styles. One of her biggest influences have been the works of Joan Mitchell, Elaine De Kooning and Helen Frankenthaler; three very strong female artists of that era. The rebellious phase of abstract painting, exploring lines and fields of color, offered freedom from the known to the unknown for Gina. Yet, abstraction was not enough to sustain her attention for long; compelling her to follow the journey towards light as it hits objects and creates atmosphere.

It’s the combination of representation and abstraction that has become the journey in Gina’s newest body of work.

“I found that I love to paint that vase and flower, but I do it on my terms now. I love the shifting of light on objects and atmosphere, bringing me into the journey of discovery. If I don’t want a certain perspective, I can shift it to what I delight in and uncover the experience in that process. I get to paint what I love to paint in the way that I want to paint.”

Intermingling traditional representation and abstract expression, Gina's art transcends aesthetic beauty to become a reflection of her own journey of self-discovery and introspection. Her work leaves an indelible impression, offering a glimpse; inviting viewers to see the world through a new lens.

Close-up of Gina Mead, abstract artist painting on a canvas with a brush, featuring colorful strokes.
Gina at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles near a white sphinx sculpture on a rooftop with decorated columns and a cloudy sky in the background.
Gina Mead Collection logo featuring an ornate gold emblem with a stylized "H" inside a circle on a black background.
A colorful abstract painting of a pink rose mounted on a white wall next to a wooden console table with white tulips in a glass vase, with a shadow cast on the wall.
Interior of a Japanese-style room with shoji sliding doors, tatami mats, a skylight, three abstract black and white paintings, a wooden shelf with a ceramic vase, and decorative rocks and branches.
Gina working in her jewelry workshop, using tools and torches for her next Collection.