As NBAS continues to spotlight talented artists from Singapore and Norway, we are excited to feature Gale Choong, a self-taught Singaporean artist and founder of PaintzByGale. Gale’s artistic journey began during the COVID-19 lockdowns through simple painting sessions with her children. In 2023, Gale made the bold decision to leave the corporate world behind and pursue art full-time. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey.
Singapore, Through the Artist’s Eyes
As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence this year, we take a moment to appreciate the beauty and spirit of a place many in the NBAS community now call home. The two paintings above show the familiar Marina Bay Sands skyline, one glowing in the soft morning light, the other resting under the calm of night.
Marina Bay Sands is recognised worldwide and stands as a symbol of modern Singapore, reflecting the city’s drive, strength, and unique character. Through these paintings, artist Gale Choong showcases the beauty and quiet resilience of a city that continues to evolve, capturing the feeling of home that so many of us share.
Finding Peace and Purpose in Art
During the uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gale painted with her children as a fun way to spend time together. As her passion grew, she found herself painting late into the night, discovering it to be a calming and meditative form of creative expression. Through this personal journey, she developed a distinctive, self-taught style rooted in nature and themes of peace, love, and joy. This growing passion led to the founding of PaintzByGale, her platform for sharing art that resonates deeply with her experiences.
Balancing her roles as a mother, advisor, and full-time artist, Gale finds time each day to paint, enjoying the creative space where reflection and imagination come together. She connects with a vibrant Instagram community of over 2,000 followers, sharing not only her art but also her ongoing story of resilience and hope.
Healing Through Art and Sharing a Dream
As a breast cancer survivor, Gale channels her journey of resilience and renewal into her vibrant, nature-inspired creations. Her art reflects the strength she found through recovery and serves as a testament to overcoming adversity.
Her journey includes several milestones, from presenting her work to former President Halimah Yacob and Minister Indranee Rajah, to participating in exhibitions at ION Orchard and the Visual Arts Centre, as well as representation by galleries in Singapore and Cambodia. In October 2024, she was interviewed by moneyFM R.I.C.H. in “What’s the Road Like to Artistic Freedom?”, a reflection on purpose, change, and courage.
Looking ahead, Gale hopes to one day have a dedicated space to showcase her art, while continuing to appreciate every opportunity to share her work and connect with others. In a recent Instagram post, Gale shared candidly:
It’s every artist’s dream to have their work shown and exhibited.
I don’t have a physical gallery yet (still dreaming about it 😇), but I am incredibly grateful for the chance to share my art at @solisbreastcare (Paragon) and @ristorantepietrasanta. The collection titled ‘Colours of Life’ exhibited at @solisbreastcare showcases a celebration of hope, resilience and life beyond adversity.
To have my paintings out there, in spaces where people can connect with them, feel something and maybe even find a moment of peace, love or joy – that’s a dream coming true for me.
One day, maybe there’ll be a space filled entirely with my art. But for now, I’m just thankful for every little step ❤️.
Explore and Purchase
Discover Gale’s vibrant artworks at her online store, PaintzbyGale. Some of her artwork has been reproduced as merchandise and is currently retailing at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Shop. For something truly unique, Gale also accepts commissions to create custom pieces tailored just for you.
Stay inspired and follow her creative journey on Instagram: @paintz_bygale to see her latest work.
For inquiries or commissions, contact her at: info@paintzbygale.com.