About the Artist
Paula Gentile is a photographer and graphic designer who lives on the North Shore of Boston, MA. She comes from a large family with a history of diabetes. Both of her parents had type 2 diabetes, two of her siblings currently have type 2 diabetes, and a third sibling has type 1 diabetes. Helping her family cope with the disease has given her an intimate understanding of the challenges diabetes presents. She frequently assists with everything from managing home care (one sibling with type 2 diabetes also has cerebral palsy) to researching new technologies and searching for more affordable diabetes solutions.
She picked up a camera at a young age and nearly always carries one with her. Whether she is at home or traveling somewhere new, Paula takes every opportunity to explore the natural world through her camera lens. As a lifelong resident of New England, she enjoys the region’s distinct seasons and the ever-changing palette of colors throughout the landscape, inspiring her photography. She seeks moments of pristine imagery in the seacoast gardens of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as in her own backyard garden.
In addition to photography, Paula enjoys watercolor painting, and she counts Ansel Adams, Thomas Mangelsen, and Winslow Homer among the artists who have most inspired her work. “Photography and design can complement each other,” she states, “and the results are often more inviting and captivating if I can capture the essence of an animal or a unique microdetail on a flower that makes the viewer feel a deeper sensation. Then there’s this perfect connecting moment that I can share with others through my photography, and that’s a truly rewarding experience.”
Paula has a B.A. in art from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and an M.A. in integrated marketing and communication from Emerson College. In her professional life, she works as a graphic designer for high-tech industries, such as medical device development, aerospace, and government research. Paula’s floral photography is featured on the walls of small businesses in her community, and she has been published on the cover (and in other sections) of the Town of Billerica Department of Public Works Annual Water Quality Report. In addition, Paula’s work is included in a collection of images documenting the experiences of her hometown and how the town persevered during the COVID-19 pandemic, titled Pandemic Peace and Promise.
To see her work, visit www.coroflot.com/paulagentile. Get in touch with Paula on her LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/in/paulamgentile/ and follow her on Instagram at @paulag393.
On the Cover: Detail of Yellow Bell Flower, Touched With Raindrops
Paula’s interest in natural photography has led her to see ways in which the world around us can provide surprising comfort in its precision and intricacy. The following is a description of the art on the cover in the words of the artist.
“This past summer and fall, as I traveled to various places in New England with friends and family, I found myself spending a lot of time taking detailed photos of flowers. The process of taking these photographs was relaxing, and I was taking the time to look—really look—at the tiny details. The fascinating details continually garnered a feeling of tranquility inside me. I found myself drawn to flowers because of their duality: a flower is both simple and complex in its form and function, both of which are equally beautiful. I wanted to capture this image because the flower (yellow columbine) with its raindrops reminded me of how something, anything—even a person—can open itself to the sky and if something falls, then let it fall. In some cases, the thing that falls sustains us. The flower catches the falling raindrops because water is essential to its function and at the same time is a display of beauty. Its many tiny anther stems create a gorgeous bouquet that attracts butterflies and bumblebees with a plethora of pollen in a blending of form and function. This image serves as a reminder of how you can open yourself up and let beauty shine, and the act can nurture and sustain your deepest self.”
