Thursday, January 12, 2012

A Special Interview with Kansas City Artist Gregory Summers

I am very excited to feature local artist Gregory Summers and some of his stunning works of art.

Greg has a wonderful sense of humor  and as you can see he has a special love of Kansas City in his heart!


Gregory is involved in a number of art groups in the area. The Kansas City Artists Coalition, Friends of the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Friends of the Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, Friend of the Overland Park Arts. and am one of the founding members of the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society.


A Plaza Light

 K) When did you realize that you wanted to paint and create art? 

G) A long long time ago, I remember reading "The Wind in the Willows" and loving the story, and not liking the illustrations that went along with it, so I proceeded to redraw it to my liking. It was a start, and it gave me something to do whenever I was sent to my room for one reason or another.





 Waiting on the Till

 K) I understand you are a member of the Kansas City Artists Coalition. Did joining that membership provide inspiration and support?


 G) Joining the KCAC brought me out of my little cocoon of my own making that kept me out of the art world.




Out of the Wind

 K)  You’re latest art I have seen is truly amazing, the light and shadows draw one in? Do you work from photographs, reality, or the visions in your own mind?


 G)Well thank you for saying that. What has revitalized my passion for art has been painting "en plein air". I just love grabbing my easel and paints and getting outdoors. Wind, rain, snow, it's like the postman's old mantra, but rearranged a bit to fit my own purposes... to paint. I do normally take a photo of the setting, and if I don't finish on site, I have no problem finishing it off in my studio.




Moraine Valley Elk
K) What keeps your passion to paint alive?
G) It's more like it's been reborn! In 2002 I sobered up after a long bout with alcoholism,  I was actually able to see the canvas clearly. I met a wonderfully supportive  woman whom I married. And pretty much she keeps my passion alive, that and all the years of trying to recapture all that I missed while "absent" from the art.



Gems from the West


K) Greg, do you have any exhibits currently or on the 2012 agenda?

G) I spent the better part of 2011 knocking on galleries trying to find places to show my art, and ended up with 10 openings last year. 2o12 looks to be equally as busy, just less foot work. I presently have a solo show of my "Plein Air" art at the West Patron Gallery, I am showing at the KC Arts Council, the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Assoc, and Glacial Till Gallery in Ashland Nebraska. In February I have a solo show at the Art Institute International Kansas City, March I am featured at the Kansas City Club, June is a the MVIS Founders Show in Lee's Summit. This February I am headed out of state for a plein air workshop, maybe it would have been easier to say "yes" I do. I really am using 2012 to improve and refine my work, and that will be my main focus for the year.
On Broadway
K) Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring artist of any age?
G) Don't drink and drive? I bet you meant towards art. It would take a wiser man than I to profess any great words of wisdom. But I can speak from the experiences that I have encountered.  


If you want to amount to anything, go for greatness, don't just settle for being good at your work. There are a lot of things I am good at, but that's not what I will be remembered for.  It's when you continue to better yourself, and know that the next painting will be even better, that's how I'm going to get to be great at what I do.

K) Thank you so much Greg for taking the time  to share with us!


G) And thank you for your interest in me and my art

You can visit Gregory's  Art Website

Also  Visit his Blog at rgregorysummers.comBlog 

Also thank you to my faithful friends and followers who make it encourage and support the arts!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

55 comments:

An Urban Cottage said...

Wonderful! Are these oils or acrylics?

Bring Pretty Back said...

He has amazing talent- what a great interview!
Have a pretty day!
Kristin

Simply LKJ said...

What a wonderful interview! Amazing paintings. Love how they capture the light.

Karena said...

Steve per Gregory, "Oils, Oils, Oils"!

Xoxo
Karena

Art by Karena

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Karena-
Thank you for sharing this artist! His work is stunning and full of movement. Love it.
Something tells me he will be really busy.
Teresa
xoxo

Mise said...

Such lovely paintings - I have scrolled through them all again for a second dose of sunlight.

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Gregory is a very talented artist!!!

Dee

Unknown said...

I especially love The Plaza Light, as my husband is from Kansas and I always love visiting the Plaza when we visit his family!!

xo Elizabeth

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Such beautiful work.

Fondly,
Glenda

Sarah Greenman said...

Great interview! "Don't drink and drive"... he's funny and talented!

Glamour Drops said...

Fascinating perspective on what makes him tick. Love the notion of being banished to his room and then repainting the wind in the willows illustrations. And perhaps, had that not happened, he may not have ended up as an artist. Sliding doors!

Elizabeth at Eiffel Tells said...

Beautiful work - so evocative. I especially love his used of light and the manner in which he applies the oils to his canvas. At talented artist.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

Really fabulous works!!

Acquired Objects said...

Wonderful works of art and I would love to have his "Out of the wind" painting since it reminds me so much of our home. Thank you for sharing!

XX
Debra

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Those paintings are beautiful.

drollgirl said...

i like #2 and #3 best!

Artist said...

Beautiful paintings!

Renée Finberg said...

he is some fabulous painter.
it is hard for me to decide which i prefer.

and of the top 3 will do for me.

how are you sweetness?

xxx

Couture Carrie said...

Fabulous work and interview!

Will visit his site!

xoxox,
CC

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

HELLO SWEET KARENA!

This is a genre of art that I could NEVER do, but we all have different visions of the world, and I am so grateful! THANK YOU for coming to visit today! Anita

Trish @TheOldPostRoad said...

Love the "Waiting on the Till" painting. Thanks for sharing the interview!
-Trish

Ricki Treleaven said...

I like Gregory's style! :D I enjoyed reading the interview, Karena. Thanks for posting it and Gregory's art as well. I have always wanted to take a Plein Air Workshop, but I have never gotten around to it!

xoxoxoxoox,
Ricki Jill

Silvia C said...

What a talented artist. I love looking at the image of him painting outside. The canvas is empty. It is amazing to think that it'll become one of those colorful, beautiful paintings, full of light. I can't even paint my nails properly, so I admire those who can produce such works of art. Thanks for introducing us to Gregory.

Decor To Adore said...

What a talented artist! Thank you for the introduction to a true talent.

Be well my friend and I truly thank you for your prayers.

Collette Osuna said...

Lovely pieces....what an amazing talent: I just found your blog, love it...new follower. Cannot wait to read more posts in the future:P

Inspiration for You, Your Home, & Everywhere in Between!

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

Your work is so lovely and full of light. My favorite painting is "Waiting on the Till."

Fashion-isha said...

Thanks again for sharing such ethereal and gorgeous art!
xo
Sharon

The Blonde Duck said...

Wonderful work!

Gwen Driscoll said...

Oh, so pretty. You're such an inspiration in the World of Blog & art! Have a great week.

Clara Walmsley said...

Wonderful interview and beautiful paintings !

Clara Walmsley said...

So happy to see your comment pop up on my blog !

Punctuation Mark said...

he's so talented... beautiful art work!

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

nice interview! Out Of the Wind is so pretty

annechovie said...

Greg is very talented. Thanks for sharing his work with us,Karen. xx

designchic said...

These are amazing paintings and loved the interview with this great talent!!

Diana Mieczan said...

His work in incredibly beautiful:) Such a wonderful post. Wish you both a lovely day. xo

Melissa Blake said...

Wow, she's amazing!! Thanks so much! xoxo

savvycityfarmer said...

you my dear, truly take art to a new level!

I adore all of your 'visits'

High Street Cottage said...

Hey Gregory's very talented! My Dad's a scenic painter too, I'm sure Kansas provides lots of inspiration!

K&B by the Sea said...

Thank you for the introduction to Greg and his paintings. I always love discovering new (to me) artists.

It's interesting that his paintings are very realistic in one way, but also kind of dreamy - which probably makes no sense now that I've put my thoughts into into words!

Pamela Bates said...

love waiting on the til. nice interview!

i love that 'wind in the willows' 'not up to par' illustrations were such an inspiration. that's funny!

Kellie Collis said...

Wonderful interview! His work is amazing! Have a delightful day, Kellie xx

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

My package arrived yesterday ... thanks again.

Fondly,
Glenda

Rattus Scribus said...

Hi Karena
What a wonderful world you inhabit. Poetry and painting are two of my favorite things in the wide world. Thanks for visiting the madness over at Rattus Scribus and voting.
All the best.
Ruben

Secondhand Stella said...

Karena,

You won the Leuer earring giveaway on my blog! Please email me at brianneoneil@gmail.com by Tuesday to claim your prize.

Tamra {ever swoon} said...

Great interview sweetie. I love hearing about artists and what inspires them.

xo

Tammy@Beatrice Banks said...

Amazing! Such beautiful work!

La Petite Gallery said...

This was great. How did you find Jamie?? Affected?

yvonne

Emreen said...

Great... Its' amazing to see how talented people are.. !! Love "Out of the wind" among his works.. !!

DolceDreams said...

What a wonderful artist, and great interview! Have a fabulous weekend,
Nathalie

debra @ 5th and state said...

what a fine artist greg is. love his light, shadows and saturation of color
thank you for sharing his work
debra

vosgesparis said...

Hello Karena thanks for joining our giveaway Please add your comment on the giveaway blog ;)
http://vosgesparisconcept.blogspot.com/


Sorry for the confusion
Good luck
Desiree

24 Corners said...

Beautiful paintings, and Gregory's words of wisdom were priceless, as were Robert's...again, thank you Karena!!
xo J~

Francine Gardner said...

very touching interview. Thank you for introducing us to a man, an artist who is so honest, open and real about himself and his art.

Francine Gardner said...

very touching interview. Thank you for introducing us to a man, an artist who is so honest, open and real about himself and his art.

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