BIOGRAPHY
Having been paralyzed by polio as a child most probably determined Vi Gassman's becoming an artist. Instead of skating and jumping rope, she drew and painted. Then art was her elective in high school, her major in college, and it has remained her passion ever since.
Vi is engaged most often with two subjects—abstraction and the human figure. Abstract painting allows her total freedom, and she loses herself in color, line and texture. Her abstracts are always painted in acrylic. Her figure works are done in mixed media. Acrylics are used, but crayon, charcoal and collage may also be added.
The human body holds the utmost fascination for her. She works from the live model, drawing for several hours, and later, when the model has left, converts these drawings to paintings in her studio. She is currently working on figures holding umbrellas. Living in San Diego, which is undergoing severe drought, this series is her personal rain dance.
Whether working with the real or the abstract, acrylics or mixed media, the goal of this award-winning artist is to present exciting and moving images. In all her work, she wishes that the viewer will sense her verve for life and her love of art.