Art has personally been a healing process for me, adding comfort and joy to my life.  While working on an art exhibition in 2010,  Journey towards Fulfillment, I began to realize that one can never be completely fulfilled—the challenges are too great and the hurdles are too large in number.  And so, in a sense we are all unfulfilled.  Seeking something besides ourselves to give us purpose.  Whether we decide on filling the void with spiritual or intellectual healing, life’s journey often seems like a never-ending quest towards meaning, purpose and enlightenment.  The steps we take, along with the process we choose, to getting fulfilled, are different for everyone. But ultimately we all aim at the same goal—to attain inner peace.  Art creates that beacon for me, and allows me to explore, challenge and express my inner soul towards inner peace.

 

I am an active member of Tall Grass Arts Association and the Union Street Artists Guild.  In 2019, I began to lead the Artists' Guild at Union Street Gallery, in Chicago Heights, IL.

 

In 2007, I earned my master’s degree from Governors State University in Communications & Training.  While obtaining my master’s degree, I also completed several graduate art courses and in 2008-10, earned nine credit hours towards my MFA degree.  

 

McGarel in the past has taught classes on mixed media at Union Street Art Gallery and at the Flossmoor Public Library. 

 

Influences: Artistically, I have always admired artists such as Henry Matisse and Chuck Close.  Towards the end of his life, Matisse couldn't paint anymore, so he developed his Cut-out Series as a way to express himself artistically. Chuck Close suffered a stroke, and instead of giving up on painting, he found a way to create art in spite of his physical disabilities caused by the stroke. Recently, I heard about the artist Phil Hansen, who gave the talk at the TED conference, entitled, 'Embracing the Shake."  Hansen developed a shake in his drawing hand, which limited his way of creating art, but opened his mind to think of art differently. He created different styles and mediums of art. This is what all these three artists have in common. When faced with adversity, each artist accepted their limitations and also embraced, adapted and enhanced their creativity.  They made their weakness their strength artistically

 

Awards:

2014 Honorable Mention       Explosive Impressions Juried Exhibition

2013 Second Place                   All About Color, Juried Exhibiton  

2009 Honorable Mention       Governors State University Students’ Exhibition

2007 Honorable Mention       Illiana Artists’ 11th Juried Regional Exhibition