Born Gisela Turner in July 1940 in Berlin, Germany.

Her love of art began at an early age and, then self taught, she had her first major portrait exhibition at the age of 13 years in the Berlin Town Hall. This was a commissioned work for the Education Department comprising over 80 pieces of portrait studies of various African tribes. The artwork was of such quality that it was used for reference purposes by the Hamburg Education Department after it had been exhibited in the Berlin Town Hall for 6 weeks.

Gisela was married in Berlin and took on the surname of Zimmer.

She migrated to Australia in 1959 seeking a more favourable life.

Gisela commenced her study of oil painting in 1974 to early 1978 under the guidance and tutelage of the well renowned artist Graham Moore. 

During this period, Gisela began exhibiting her work both locally and overseas with great success resulting in numerous awards and sales including commission work.

In the 1980's Gisela returned to Europe for one year to further studies and travelled extensively while painting on commission work.

Returning to Australia, Gisela exhibits her work throughout Melbourne and Victoria on a wide range of genres in oil and acrylic and is well known and regarded for her commission work on portraits and animals.