GJ Gillespie is a mixed-media collage artist living in a 1928 Tudor Revival farmhouse overlooking Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Washington. Inspired by the haunting work of the Northwest Mystics and the formal innovations of mid-century abstract expressionism, his layered collages transform found materials — grocery advertisements, tissue, newsprint, and paint — into figurative and abstract works that explore existential meaning through cultural iconography.

A prolific and widely recognized artist, Gillespie’s work has appeared in more than 210 publications, been exhibited in 71 shows, and earned 23 awards. He has completed six artist residencies at the University of Washington’s Whiteley Center at Friday Harbor Labs on San Juan Island.

Beyond his studio practice, Gillespie founded The Creativity Initiative (501c3), a nonprofit dedicated to donating art supplies to schools, and runs Leda Art Supply, specializing in premium sketchbooks for artists.

Website: gjgillespieartistic.com