Gail’s love for art began as a child. For five years, living within biking distance of the Toledo Museum of Art, Gail peddled her way from 4th grade to Junior High to attend classes in various artistic mediums. A scholar from that time forward, Gail has served as the Dean of College Education at Indiana State University and Chair of the Department of Education at UNC – Charlotte. In her 25 year profession in higher education she has not put aside her love for painting, which has developed into a concentration in watercolors. Under various instructors she has gained the expertise and confidence to present shows of her own work, along with that of fellow watercolorists in the area.
In 2002, she moved from her home in Illinois to South Carolina and began taking instruction under Bruce Chandler in Georgetown. She has continued that educational process under other instructors through the Georgetown County Watercolor Society and is presently continuing to paint with a group of eight artists in Pawley’s Island. Gail served two years as President and two years as Vice President of the Georgetown County Watercolor Society, as well as being a Board Member of the South Carolina Watercolor Society.
Her love for the medium has not waned, but has in fact increased to her showing her work at The Waccamaw Arts and Crafts Guild annual juried show, the Myrtle Beach Art Museum annual juried show, The Rice Museum in Georgetown each fall and Island Art Gallery in Pawleys Island on a continual basis. When asked what her dream would be and how she sees herself going forward as a watercolorist, it was no surprise to hear her say she is inspired by SC watercolorist, Mary Whyte and Winslow Homer. She aspires to the development of more transparency in her work, as well as clarity,freshness and strong composition in her painting experience.
Gail has just returned from a trip to Puerto Morelos, Mexico where she painted in plein air and was inspired by the colors of that area. You are invited to Island Art Gallery in the Village Shops in Pawleys to view Gail’s work and perhaps add a piece of it to your own collection!