Meet Patricia Schnall Gutierrez

We had the good fortune of connecting with Patricia Schnall Gutierrez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Patricia Schnall, have you ever found yourself in a spot where you had to decide whether to give up or keep going? How did you make the choice?
In terms of my career, the notion of giving up doesn’t enter the equation. Because of necessity, I’ve held a wide range of jobs throughout my life, and those experiences clearly led me to know that making art is not only what I’m meant to do—it’s what sustains me. It’s not a matter of persistence as much as it is a recognition of purpose.

When it comes to individual projects or ideas, I rarely abandon them outright. I tend to generate a number of concepts simultaneously, often developing several in parallel. Over time, I allow the work to reveal what has the most resonance or urgency. If something loses my interest, I set it aside—not necessarily as a failure, but as part of a natural selection process within my practice. Ideas often resurface later in another form or lead me somewhere unexpected. I trust that evolution.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work explores the layered complexity of the female experience through a multidisciplinary approach, combining conceptual abstraction with elements of humor, intrigue, and unexpected beauty. Drawing and painting are at the core of my practice, often serving as both finished works and foundations for sculpture, collage, and installation. The work reflects deeply personal yet widely resonant narratives—woven from themes of memory, identity, motherhood, aging, and the evolving roles of women.

Getting to where I am professionally has not been linear, nor easy. I’ve navigated years of balancing artmaking with parenting, work, and life’s many obligations. But even in the most complicated periods, I never considered not moving forward as an artist. It has always been something I had to do—more compulsion than choice. That drive, coupled with discipline, humility, and a genuine respect for those I collaborate with, has carried me through.

I spend a lot of time alone and probably not as much time as I should socially, but I’ve learned to recognize opportunity and to step through open doors when they appear. Over time, I’ve come to understand that persistence, professionalism, and self-awareness are just as vital as talent.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Our first stops would be the incredible art collections and museums throughout South Florida. From contemporary spaces to major institutions, there’s so much to see. I live along the New River, in the Arts and Entertainment district of downtown Fort Lauderdale, where restaurants are abundant, and just a short walk or drive brings you to the beach. And being right next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts means we could easily catch a play, a ballet, or a concert.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My path has been shaped by many people whose belief in me gave me the confidence to keep going. Early on, it was my teachers and professors who first affirmed that I had something worth pursuing. As I moved through the challenges of balancing an art practice with work and raising children, I found steady encouragement from gallerists, curators, and fellow artists. Their feedback, especially the reminder that dissatisfaction with one’s work can be a sign of growth.

I also have to acknowledge the unwavering support of my husband of 48 years. His honest, often unfiltered critiques have pushed me to think more critically about my work. And his engineering mind has been invaluable in helping me realize complex installations that would be difficult to execute alone. That combination of pragmatism and belief has made a significant impact on my ability to keep evolving as an artist.

Website: https://www.psgarts.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pschnallgutierrez/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-schnall-gutierrez-9bb25b13/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psgartsllc