The warmth of my art comes from the many layers of organic textures such as earth pigments,resins, ash and beeswax that are artfully embedded within each piece. As I lay down each layer I am in deep conversation with the spirit of place, the ancestral bones that lay in the ground beneath my own feet and my own ancestors that dwell within. As I paint I am praying and singing for healing -- for the earth and humanity-- for the places where our lives are mixed and mingled.

In these times, I find myself exploring the concepts of time, stored memory, and the way they influence and shape our personal and collective narratives.

Gemma B. Benton is a mixed media, cold wax and oil artist who specializes in creating textured art with what may be described as an wabi-sabi aesthetic. Gemma's art is deeply honoring of her indigenous heritage and a call for the viewer to find themselves in relationship with the seasons and cycles of time, with nature, ourselves and each other. Gemma is a traditional Native American singer, community activist and workshop leader. She is Menominee and Filipino and lives in the Sacramento area.