DPW Spotlight Interview: Annetta Gregory

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Annetta's painting "Friendship Bouquet" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Annetta's DPW Gallery Page:

Annetta is an American artist who has been creating art in one form or another most of her life. For years it was a hobby using art to relax and as a form of meditation as she focused on raising a family. Slowly she began to sell locally and eventually online through various social media outlets.

Living in NW Arkansas was an advantage over the last decade as art opportunities grew in this fast expanding area. Crystal Bridges museum and local art shows have grown and increased exciting opportunities for artists of all mediums. She took advantage of these opportunities participating in local art groups, Artists of Northwest Arkansas and Plein Air Painters of the Ozarks as well as teaching at Studio Seven during the 2018 year.

Now having moved to a rural community in Jay Oklahoma a whole new series of opportunities have opened up for her. So many vistas and farm scenes in every direction provide inspiration. Her husband, Claude, and herself renovated an old barn and turned it into a studio on their farm.

Annetta continues to work on improving and growing her skill as an oil painter. Goals for 2020 include more plein air painting as well as developing her photograpy skills so as to capture the various birds nesting and living in the area. If you live in or near her area please stop by and visit her studio.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have always been involved in art of some kind but started painting in oil about twenty years ago in my forties.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I did have times when I was busy raising a family where I didn't paint for long periods.

Friendship Bouquet
(click to view)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Annetta's interview.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with? Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away? Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I have experimented with watercolor, soft pastel, and acrylics. But, I really love oil and pretty much only paint with them anymore. I still love soft pastels and will probably do more of that at some point.

Who or what inspires you most?

I am inspired by nature, flowers, animals and country scenes. I am inspired by whomever I am learning from at the time and right now that is Kelli Folsom and Daniel Keys.

Chocolate Delight
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination is usually a problem for me when it's having to do anything not art related. The business side of art is my weak area. I work out of my studio and have over the years made a point to treat it as a job in that I show up every week day morning and paint.

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

My family and friends all know how important it is to me.

Peaches, Tea and Impatiens
(click to view)

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

To keep my art fresh I try to learn from someone who paints different than I do. It challenges me and teaches me new skills.

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

Right now I am focusing on still life paintings and plein air, working from life.

Joyful Moment
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happiest about my art when I finish a difficult painting and it works out the way I wanted.

Simple Things
(click to view)

Thanks, Annetta!

© 2020 Sophie Marine