Meet Gabryelle Harris
Art has the ability to tell stories, preserve identity, and create connections between people in ways words sometimes cannot. This month’s Featured Emerging Artist, Gabryelle Harris is doing exactly that through work that is thoughtful, expressive, and deeply personal. Blending her passion for science and creativity, Gabryelle is building a path that not only reflects her artistic talent, but also her desire to make meaningful change through representation in the medical field.
There is something deeply intentional about the way Gabryelle approaches art. Whether she is working with acrylic paint, oil paint, or simple graphite on paper, every piece feels rooted in observation, emotion, and identity. A senior Integrated Studies major at Augusta University, she is balancing both science and art as she works toward her goal of entering a Medical Illustration Master’s program. It is a path that combines technical precision with creativity, but for her, the connection between the two feels natural.
Although the workload can be demanding, she continues to dedicate time outside of class to practicing anatomy, studying references, and sketching future ideas. Even within assigned projects, she finds ways to align her work with her personal interests and artistic voice. Art has always been a constant in her life. Gabryelle says she has been drawing since she could hold a pencil, and throughout every stage of her journey, her family, especially her mother, encouraged her to continue pursuing it.
Like many artists, her vision for the future evolved over time. What began as an interest in mixed media shifted into graphic design before eventually leading her toward medical illustration. Today, she sees art not only as a creative outlet, but also as a tool for representation and education.
Much of Gabryelle’s inspiration comes from her own experiences as a Black woman in America, along with the influence of artists such as Kehinde Wiley. Her process varies depending on the project. Sometimes an idea arrives suddenly and she immediately begins sketching, while other works are carefully planned through research, references, and preliminary drawings before ever reaching the canvas. No matter the approach, she describes herself as someone who works intensely until exhaustion forces her to step away and revisit the piece later.
Despite her dedication to the craft itself, one of her favorite parts of creating art is the connection it builds with others. Sharing her work with family and friends often sparks conversation and joy, reminding her that art can be deeply communal.
That sense of purpose carries into her long-term goals. Gabryelle hopes to use medical illustration to address the lack of racial diversity and skin tone variation in medical imagery. Through her work, she wants underrepresented groups to see themselves reflected accurately in educational and clinical visuals. It is a mission rooted in both care and visibility, and one that reflects the thoughtful direction of her artistic practice.
She also hopes her art can eventually reach audiences everywhere, continuing to evolve as her skills grow over time. While she plans to pursue medical illustration professionally, she intends to keep her personal artwork close to her heart as an ongoing passion.
Being named Emerging Artist of the Month is something Gabryelle describes with gratitude. For her, it represents an opportunity to share her passion with a larger community while continuing to grow as both an artist and a person. Through her involvement in the arts, she has built meaningful professional and personal relationships with people who have encouraged and supported her growth.
At the same time, she is open about the challenges that come with pursuing creative work. Time management and imposter syndrome have both been obstacles throughout her journey. Even while celebrating her accomplishments, she often finds herself comparing her progress to others and questioning whether she should be doing more. Still, she credits her support system for helping her stay grounded and recognize how far she has already come.
When asked what advice she would give younger artists, her answer is simple but impactful. Stay open minded. Try the medium that intimidates you. Take the class you are unsure about. Enter the contest you do not think you can win. According to Gabryelle, growth often happens in unexpected places, and creative passions can emerge where you least expect them.
If she had to describe her work in three words, Gabryelle would choose human, colorful, and personal. Those qualities feel evident not only in her artwork, but in the way she speaks about creativity itself.
One of her proudest moments so far has been winning a mural contest at Augusta University. Her design now lives on the exterior wall of the Pamplin College Television, Cinema, and Podcasting Lab on the first floor of University Hall, allowing her work to become a lasting part of campus life.
Outside of creating art, Gabryelle enjoys reading manga and graphic novels, collecting books, exploring antique stores, and playing video games like The Sims and Animal Crossing. She often finds inspiration in the varying illustration styles found within graphic novels, paying close attention to the techniques artists use to balance intricate detail with broader storytelling.
As she continues developing her voice as both an artist and future medical illustrator, Gabryelle is creating work that is not only visually compelling, but deeply meaningful. Her passion for representation, education, and personal expression is shaping a body of work that feels thoughtful, vibrant, and full of possibility. Through every sketch, painting, and future medical illustration, she is proving that art can do more than simply capture attention. It can create understanding, spark conversation, and help people feel seen.
