A Touch of Romance by Gwen Meyer Ethelbah 44J

Gwen Meyer Ethelbah

It’s hard to underestimate the impact of the work of Maynard Dixon, Edward Hopper and, looking the other way, the impressionists on both coasts. I resonated with Dixon’s authentic depiction of the Southwest’s barren geography in particular. Modern teacher-artists who were also influential: Mary Bentz Gilkerson, Kevin MacPherson, Emil Gruppe, Rachel Pettit, John Carlson, Stephen Quiller, and of course, my own mother, Flora Macdonald, who studied with Armin Hansen and in the ateliers of Europe. Mostly, though, my style has been formed by study and the hours at the easel - the miles of canvas so necessary to a creative practice. Landscape is still the major focus of my artistic vision. My intimate forest scenes are balanced by expansive lake and sky scenes. I want you to see what I see and why I love it, so my work has a strong sense of place. You can usually tell where I painted if you have been there yourself.