Gerard Anthony Gittens – Artist and Founder of the Art Academy in Trinidad & Tobago

About Me

From a very young age I knew I wanted to be an artist. I drew constantly in school, finding that doodling while listening to my teachers relaxed me and allowed me to be more attentive, though this was not always appreciated by my lecturers.

I grew up to pursue a career in Advertising and Graphic Design which I did for many years. In 1997 | abandoned my career in the corporate world, and after a period of searching for a new direction I gradually returned to my mistress… Art. This time, making Art for self expression and the pursuit of beauty. I also started teaching Art and formed the Art Academy which is dedicated to helping students develop their artistic talent. I have been privileged to work with some amazing talent and it is my greatest joy to watch many of my students blossom.

My own Art is often an outward expression of my inner journey and has played an important role in my spiritual quest for wholeness. I have always aspired to live my truth and to courageously engage my inner conflicts in the pursuit of healing and ascension to ever higher places of consciousness. I work in many media, dabbling in water colours, acrylics, collage and clay. One of the most unique things I do is to collect discarded items and bring them together in fantastic configurations that fascinate and delight the eye.

My body of work also includes some recorded poems that are professionally voiced and accompanied by original and dramatic musical scores. It is always about listening to my true feelings and allowing them free expression so that I might process my emotions in a bid to make sense of them.

I have also taught art for over two decades. In 1998 I launched the Art Academy, offering courses in drawing and painting. It has been a privilege to offer art education to many talented individuals over the years.