Gwen Piña has created with her hands ever since she was a little girl growing up in New Jersey. Whether the medium was dirt and water for concocting mud pies or watercolors for painting on paper, she drew inspiration from texture, color and form. After moving to Colorado in 1978, she continued painting until 1987, when the desire to work in three dimensions urged her to pick up some polymer clay. Working with this colorful, tactile medium became her passion, and G.P. Originals was born.

Gwen’s first designs were playful and beautiful jewelry, ornaments and Nativity sets. Her interest and study of native cultures soon evolved into figurative works of Native American women engaged in daily activities earring authentic dress and hairstyles. Because polymer clay offers a myriad of colors to work with, Gwen likens her craft to painting with clay. She continues to develop new pieces that reflect her interests and inspirations, while sustaining that childhood joy off creating with her hands. Gwen’s work is all about this joy and sharing.