Growing up in Brownsville, New York (U.S.A.) in the 1930's was a challenging time. Yet life was good, and even in times of lack, Gladys recalls feeling that she had everything she needed.

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"Perhaps my earliest inspiration was my mom, who could make anything out of almost nothing. It was magical...scraps of material became clothing..clothing outgrown was transformed into something else, again wearable...watching how my mother could always imagine what was possible made a deep impression.."

 

Gladys was already painting, when she began studying sculpting under well-known artist Chaim Gross. Sculpting gave Gladys an appreciation for the three dimensional, for replicating the human form using various textures and materials. 

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"Sculpting developed my ability to visualize...to see a form before it was created...to envision the possible."

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A fascination with palm trees began with a move to Florida, where they are native. 

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"I found myself drawn to the palm trees, to their natural grace, and to the variety of textures. As I studied the tree, I would see various figures in the branches, the leaves, the pieces of bark, even in the offshoots..."

 

This fascination became a reality as Gladys put her artistic talent and experience to use as she explored the possibilites of transforming a fragment of the tree into another form.

 

Moving to Israel where palm trees are native to the land, Gladys continues to pursue her love of palm tree art.

 

"The inspiration for my art comes from my surroundings. Surrounded by so much natural beauty provides the raw materials. And I let my imagination be my guide..."

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"My interests and talents as an artist have developed and changed over the years. As an octogenarian (I am in my 80's), I find that my palm tree art taps into the youthful side of my personality and keeps me young...That is my name after all!!"

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