Making waves abroad is 28-year-old Gisela McDaniel. It's been a few years since we last chatted with the current New York resident and much has happened with the diasporic, indigenous CHamoru artist.

McDaniel has made a name for herself in the world of art, her larger than life bold oil paintings of subjects and survivors who have experienced everything from colonialism and sexual violence to healing and racism.

McDaniel said, “I’ve expanded the work a lot and have been speaking to people about what does a safe world like? ...Even if it's not realistic.”

Her work has been featured in solo and group shows all over.

“I’ve had a few shows and I’ve been able to go to Guam a few times. That has been really wonderful and such a blessing to me. I've been able work on projects,” She said.

Gisela, who was born in Nebraska received her BFA from the University of Michigan in 2019.

Recently, Gisela was named to the Forbes list of 30 under 30. And for her, it was quite the surprise.

She shared, “It was exciting. My mother is really excited for me...I think it's kind of surreal to be acknowledged in that way but it’s also just really exciting to get to talk about Guam and get to be in a room that I didn't necessarily think I would be and talk about the things i care about.”

With so many shows under her belt, is there one piece or experience that stands out for her?

McDaniel said, “It's all been special. It's all been kind of location based. When I was painting in New York, I was painting folks in New York and letting them talk. I've been working on a body of work in Guam and every time I've been there, I've been focusing on the healers and the activists and that has been really special and close to my heart and really wonderful that people have let me listen to them and share with me and I've gotten to learn from them...And although it hasn't happened yet, it's an ongoing project, that has been really special to me.”

Along with a few residencies lined up, and Europe in the summer, Gisela continues to focus on her body of work about Guam that will hopefully be shown in 2025.

“I’m so blessed that I get to do this for a living...It really is a dream come true. A lot of the time, we are not told that a creative career is possible. If you have a calling to do it, do it...Of course resources aren't always there but if you do something creative a little bit everyday, it's an important practice,” She said.

To see more of Gisela's work and to keep up to date with her creative journey, follow her on Instagram: @giselamcdaniel.