Husband and wife use unconventional tools to create artwork

Sam Gentile was always intrigued by the arts, but his interest really piqued about a decade ago. Following his retirement from the science and engineering field, he began taking classes and workshops with his artist wife, Judith.

He didn’t intend to learn rules or techniques; Sam wanted to create artwork in stimulating environments. His approach begins without preconception, and he chooses to react spontaneously to what happens.

To create his pieces, Sam uses unconventional instruments like construction tools, squeegees, paper towels and alcohol wipes. For his canvases, he utilizes watercolor, printing and synthetic paper.

Sam also doesn’t title his pieces.

“I don’t provide images that are figurative, and I don’t want to prompt any viewer,” he said.

The couple are the featured artists at the Monroeville Public Library in June.

Judith became fascinated with art as a young girl and feels that it was something she was always meant to do.

“I feel like I was born an artist, rather than becoming one,” she said.

Judith expresses her creativity through paintings, ceramics and mixed media. For her water media, Judith uses watercolors and acrylics, sometimes incorporating both on one piece. In addition to traditional brushes, she uses palette knives and silicone painting tools for her acrylic paintings.

Like her husband, Judith trusts her imagination and intuition to guide her in the completion of each original design.

“My interests in architecture and oriental art have influenced my own art,” Judith said. “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many talented artists, and I have incorporated that knowledge into my own artistic expressions.”

Judith graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with an associate’s degree in fashion illustration. During her 18 years as a graphic designer, Judith received an interior design certificate from Seton Hill College. Recently, she earned an associate of science degree with an art major from the Community College of Allegheny County.

For years, Judith also taught watercolor painting at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (now PCAM) and the University of Pittsburgh’s Generations Together Program.

Judith’s award-winning art has been shown locally and nationally, and is part of many private collections. Her ceramic piece “Primary Abstract” was part of this year’s Greensburg Art Center’s Biennial. Three of her watercolor paintings – “Dream Sequence 1,” “Dream Sequence 2” and “Dream Sequence 3” – have been accepted for the 2025 Crosscurrents Exhibition at The Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling, W.Va.

The Gentiles are members of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media, Pittsburgh Society of Artists, Latrobe Art Center and Greensburg Art Center. Judith is also a member and exhibiting artist at The Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, Group A and the International Society of Experimental Artists.