Meet Gaba (Gabriele)

About Me

I have always felt a creative soul living within me. From my earliest memories, I held a pencil in my hand, endlessly drawing and observing the world around me. Art was never just an interest—it was the natural language through which I expressed myself. My path was set early on, and I followed it with passion. I attended Kaunas Art Gymnasium and later earned my Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Kaunas Faculty.

Over time, my creativity found new forms. When I first picked up a camera, I discovered another kind of “drawing tool.” Photography became a way to translate emotions into light and shadow. Through it, I redefined myself once again, and my world made perfect sense. Creating gives me peace, joy, and fulfillment—it’s where I truly feel alive.

My Style

My photography style is natural, emotional, and artistic. After becoming a mother of three, I experienced a depth of love that changed how I saw the world. That love flows through my work. I don’t aim to capture perfection—I seek authenticity. A fleeting glance, a quiet moment, the depth in someone’s eyes.

I cherish the honesty of raw emotion: wonder, curiosity, innocence, laughter, or even sadness. My favorite images are the ones that reveal who a person truly is inside. Nature often plays a vital role in my compositions—it offers infinite beauty: the softness of sunlight, the dance of shadows, the whisper of wind, the shimmer of rain, or the stillness of snow. My goal is to show the poetry of everyday life—our reality painted on nature’s canvas.

Beyond Photography

Art has always been a part of me, in every form. Alongside my photography, I draw, write poetry, and create tattoos—another way to let art live on skin, forever telling a story. My tattoo work under JustGaba_Tattoo_Art continues the same artistic vision as my photography and drawings—intimate, emotional, and deeply personal. Each design reflects a moment, a feeling, or a memory that becomes part of someone’s journey.

My creative path led me to publish my first poetry and art book, “When Muses Die” (Kai Mūzos Miršta)—a deeply personal collection born from three years of artistic reflection. It merges drawings and poetry into one emotional narrative, exploring love, longing, and rebirth through art.

My work has been exhibited in both Lithuania and the United States, including the Lithuanian Museum of Art in Lemont, where I presented my book and art in 2024. My exhibitions often explore themes of emotion, vulnerability, and the search for one’s inner self.

I also co-founded Wake Up A Muse, a creative photo and art studio in Darien, Illinois, where art, photography, and workshops come together. There, I lead artistic sessions and creative events that inspire people to reconnect with their imagination and emotion.

A Bit More About Me (Gaba)

I have a twin sister, Simona—my reflection, my critic, and my best friend. Our bond is something words can barely describe; it’s eternal and grounding. We inspire each other to grow, create, and never stop learning.

I’m a Taurus—grounded, passionate, and drawn to beauty in the everyday. I love good food, cooking, traveling, decorating for special occasions, styling sessions, and finding beauty in simplicity. Time is precious to me, as I balance being a mother, an artist, and a business owner.

Education & Credentials

  • Kaunas Art Gymnasium, Lithuania (1987–1999)

  • Vilnius Academy of Arts, Kaunas Faculty – Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts & Graphic Design (1999–2003)

  • Art Institute of Schaumburg, IL – Certified in Web & Graphic Design (2005–2006)

Let’s Create Something Beautiful

Please consider JustGaba Photography, JustGaba Art, or JustGaba_Tattoo_Art for your next creative experience.
Together, we’ll create something timeless and meaningful—filled with emotion, beauty, and soul.

Located in the Chicago area – where almost all of my art and photography are born.

© JustGaba ART 2025-2026