
ABOUT

Gabrielle Chen Gracilla is an art mama living in Huntington Beach, CA.
Gabrielle uses art to transform challenging periods of time, thoughts, and emotions into fantastical images of brighter dreams. Gabrielle enjoys painting, lettering, and illustrating on upcycled objects and digitally. Gabrielle is driven to create unique and beautiful spaces with her colorful, bold, and eccentric designs. Gabrielle painted signs for grocery stores, restaurants, and vendors since 2016. Gabrielle now creates with her own team of herself and her partner, Ian.
Gabrielle follows astrology and the patterns and cycles of nature. Her works feature plants from her mom's garden, native southern Californian plants, and plants from places she wishes to travel.
Gabrielle advocates for environmental justice. Gabrielle has volunteered several years with Surfrider Foundation, Algalita Marine Research and Education, and Bolsa Chica Wetlands. Many of her works feature the horizons, skies, and waters seen from local surf breaks and nature preserves.
Gabrielle strives for inner and outer peace. Gabrielle practices yoga, detachment, and meditation. Her works feature uplifting Buddhist prayers from Burmese monks of her parents' home country. Some of her favorite prayers and chants are translated as "Speak only what is true, correct, and beneficial," and "Awaken to the light of the truth/wisdom from the darkness of delusion," and "Worthy of honor and respect."
Gabrielle takes pride in her two beautiful children whom she encourages to follow their hearts. Gabrielle empowers women, especially those who have beared children and are bearing children. Gabrielle is a collective member of Birth Workers of Color since 2019 as a doula.
B.S. Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago
Birthworkers of Color Collective, Los Angeles