Greg Thatcher

I have been working on the yew tree series since 1991. In my work I try to capture the personality and spiritual essence of the yew trees. To me, the trees embody a living history of over 260 years. I feel it is important to grasp their essence, and then express that in a visual form which will forge a link between my experience and that of the viewers. Hopefully,the work will inspire them to experience the wonders of nature. This is very important because we are systematically losing our deeper connections with nature. The artwork, I feel, is a reminder and a vehicle to inspire people about the richness, depth, and grace of nature. My work is a visual metaphor for my inner experience. I feel I am a spokesman for the trees, and I am trying to tell their story. Over the years ,my work in the series has shifted and been inspired by the inner complexity of the tree boughs. The trees were damaged by a heavy snow storm in the mid 1990's. When I returned the following summer, I felt I needed to help establish the trees' sense of purpose, dignity and beauty.

BFA with Distinction,1973. University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.Canada.

MA in painting and drawing,1978. University of Saskatchewan,Saskatoon, Canada.

"Line Exhibition”, Blandon Memorial Art Museum, Ft.Dodge, IA, which was an Iowa invitational exhibition. 2019. Also traveled to Art 52 Gallery in Fairfield IA. 2019.

Painswick “Art Burst”Gloucestershire.,UK .2019

Past exhibitions:

Blandon Memorial Art Museum, "Memory of Place". Ft.Dodge, IA.

San Francisco Museum. 1970

Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH. 2017

Figgi Museum. "Biannual Competitive Exhibition" Davenport,IA. 2017

Art Gallery of Victoria, Victoria, BC. 1974

Des Moines Art Center. Des Moines, IA. 1996

"Small but Mighty", Prairie State College, Chicago, IL.2017.

The 13th International Drawing Annual Competition. Manifest Gallery, Davenport, IA. 2018.

Arboreal International exhibition. Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH. 2017.

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. 1994.

For more info, please see my website: www.gregthatchergallery.com