Gayle Garner Roski was a native of Los Angeles. She studied fine arts at the University of Southern California.

Her vibrant watercolors have been exhibited extensively in museums and galleries from Southern California to Scotland.

A plein air watercolorist and avid world traveler, Roski explored some of the most remote parts of the globe, always with paints and sketchbook in hand. She dove the uncharted waters off New Guinea and had climbed the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. She created several series of paintings from her travels around the world; from calligraphy brushes found in Beijing, to Italian pottery from Tuscany and Umbria and a snuff bottle from China. 99th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition that took place in 2010 featured big pencils from Honduras.

Roski also illustrated children’s books: Mei Ling in China City, a multi cultural book based on a true story of events during World War II in Los Angeles China City, was published in 2008, later, Thomas the T. Rex, a children’s book for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, was completed. A U.S.C. Alumni Association cookbook illustrated by Roski has been published as two editions and its original paintings were on exhibit at the University Club. Since 2010 Roski’s work has been exhibited in the Masters of the American West at the Autry National Center, starting with a series of watercolor paintings of dream catchers.

Roski bridged her fine art career with her civic dedication. She was Commissioner of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles and headed Public Art projects throughout the City, including the Los Angeles Angel project. Roski was also Chairman of Art for the Cathedral of Los Angeles. She served on the Executive Board of the University of Southern California. The USC School of Art and Design bears her name. Gayle Garner Roski was a Signature Artist Member of the California Art Club and served on its Executive Board.