A little about me
" Hi my name is Gretchen (collectively, "Hi Gretchen"). It's been about 35 years since I've been addicted to art. My choice of poison is typically oil paint but have been known to use pencil and occasionally acrylic.
My addiction can take me in any direction...still life, portraits or landscape. I've yet to try abstract but will not rule it out if the urge strikes me. Everything depends on my mood, an image, a color or a movement of an object/person can trigger my addiction and send me into my studio for hours on end. Many have tried to distract me from this addiction but none will ever succeed. For it is the true nature of this beast."
But Seriously...
As a child, in Pittsburgh, I sat with my pencils and crayons drawing everything. When asked what I wanted to be the response was always, "An artist". I was encouraged by my teachers at a young age to draw. In 7th grade, outside of Chicago, my school presented me with a special Artists award that I still cherish. It was at that age that I received my first oil paint set and soon found myself even more in love with art. At 16 years old I was approached by Miss Teen San Antonio, I did not know her although we went to the same school, and she commissioned a portrait. Realizing that Art School was not affordable to my family at the time, I went in a different creative direction but continued to pursue art, learning and also selling my work outside of my day job.
Relocating on my own to Arizona in 1992 turned out to be a great idea. I married a man who had deep roots in Mesa, Arizona, working for his family restaurant that existed since 1953. My husband encouraged me and always made sure I had a room in our house to use as a studio. I am fortunate enough now to live on our piece of property where I have my studio building separate from the house with a perfect view of the beautiful Superstition Mountain.
In 2010 we opened our own restaurant carrying on his family tradition, with our 3 boys. Sidetracked for a time with restaurant things, painting full time is my passion in life now, not that part-time stuff I did for years. I am very lucky as an artist to have public wall space to hang and sell my paintings! (Not to mention all the eating and drinking I want...the starving artist days are gone, so to speak.)
Rather than go on and on about what Renaissance masters in the past that inspired me (and they certainly did), I would like to list present artists that I admire and inspire me (below). Take a moment to look at their art and admire them as I do... after you've looked at all of my paintings and maybe purchased one to add to or start your collection of course!
Thanks for your interest, I appreciate it!
Gretchen
My addiction can take me in any direction...still life, portraits or landscape. I've yet to try abstract but will not rule it out if the urge strikes me. Everything depends on my mood, an image, a color or a movement of an object/person can trigger my addiction and send me into my studio for hours on end. Many have tried to distract me from this addiction but none will ever succeed. For it is the true nature of this beast."
But Seriously...
As a child, in Pittsburgh, I sat with my pencils and crayons drawing everything. When asked what I wanted to be the response was always, "An artist". I was encouraged by my teachers at a young age to draw. In 7th grade, outside of Chicago, my school presented me with a special Artists award that I still cherish. It was at that age that I received my first oil paint set and soon found myself even more in love with art. At 16 years old I was approached by Miss Teen San Antonio, I did not know her although we went to the same school, and she commissioned a portrait. Realizing that Art School was not affordable to my family at the time, I went in a different creative direction but continued to pursue art, learning and also selling my work outside of my day job.
Relocating on my own to Arizona in 1992 turned out to be a great idea. I married a man who had deep roots in Mesa, Arizona, working for his family restaurant that existed since 1953. My husband encouraged me and always made sure I had a room in our house to use as a studio. I am fortunate enough now to live on our piece of property where I have my studio building separate from the house with a perfect view of the beautiful Superstition Mountain.
In 2010 we opened our own restaurant carrying on his family tradition, with our 3 boys. Sidetracked for a time with restaurant things, painting full time is my passion in life now, not that part-time stuff I did for years. I am very lucky as an artist to have public wall space to hang and sell my paintings! (Not to mention all the eating and drinking I want...the starving artist days are gone, so to speak.)
Rather than go on and on about what Renaissance masters in the past that inspired me (and they certainly did), I would like to list present artists that I admire and inspire me (below). Take a moment to look at their art and admire them as I do... after you've looked at all of my paintings and maybe purchased one to add to or start your collection of course!
Thanks for your interest, I appreciate it!
Gretchen
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