For over 20 years, Gurley has been making one-of-a-kind prints, paintings, and collages that are as unpredictable as they are unforgettable. Her work is the artistic equivalent of a great dinner party—part meticulous planning, part “let’s see what happens when we add a bit of wine,” and a whole lot of happy accidents. If you’re looking for perfectly polished art that’s been painstakingly curated in a lab, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’re in the market for something that might involve glue on her face, paint on the cat, or an inexplicable pile of materials mysteriously morphing into something brilliant—well, she’s your artist.

 

While everyone’s busy swiping through apps and creating “perfect” digital art in five minutes, Gurley prefers to roll up her sleeves, get her hands dirty, and let the materials do their thing. After all, who needs a “reset” button when you’ve got the thrill of finding out exactly how far you can push a paintbrush before it spontaneously combusts into something new? It’s a process that can’t be rushed—each layer, texture, and little “oops” is part of the magic.

 

For Gurley, the beauty of art isn’t in making something that looks exactly like the idea she started with (where’s the fun in that?). It’s in the surprises, the mistakes that turn into masterpieces, and the delightful chaos that happens when things go gloriously wrong. Sure, digital art might let you undo that last stroke, but where’s the charm in that? Art’s supposed to be messy, unpredictable, and—let’s face it—occasionally borderline disastrous. But somehow, that’s where the magic happens.

 

Every piece Gurley creates is a direct reflection of her commitment to slow, intentional work—and her willingness to let go of control in exchange for something more exciting. It’s about taking risks, embracing the mess, and allowing the materials to speak for themselves. No two pieces are ever the same, and that’s just how she likes it. If that means the glue bottle goes rogue or a brushstroke refuses to stay where it’s supposed to, so be it. It’s all part of the fun. After all, if you’re not getting a bit of paint in your hair, are you even really an artist?

 

This version cranks up the humor with a more playful, sharp tone, emphasizing your unpredictable, carefree process and loving the unexpected elements that come with working physically. The focus is on the chaos, the mess, and how that leads to the best surprises. What do you think—does this hit the mark?