Harold Gregor, Illinois Aritst

Yesterday Mike and I went to the 26th annual Sugar Creek Arts festival, held this year, on the beautiful Quad of Illinois State University. It is usually held in downtown Normal (Illinois), but this year our little town is having a major make-over, and Main Street was not available. Strolling along, we were enjoying the various art (it is highly competitive to get into this event) under white tents when it began to pour rain. This was our cue to leave even though we had umbrellas, but we had just come to look, not to buy. We are not in the market for buying "extras" these days although there were beautiful items to choose from. What will happen to all these struggling artist in this economy?
Our real reason for being down on campus, however, was to stop at the Illinois State Art Gallery where a friend, Harold Gregor, artist extraordinaire, was featured with his newest paintings in a series called, "Radiant Plains." We met Harold and his wife, Marlene, when we first moved to Normal, Illinois fifteen years ago, and were friends for several years. Marlene took me under her wing and with her robust energy showed me around the town, and introduced me to many interesting things.
Harold Gregor is known for his prairie landscapes, one of which currently hangs in the Oval Office Private Dining room at the White House. (President Obama had to make a special request for this as, apparently, only deceased artists may be displayed in the White House. (weird!) I encourage you to go to the Harold Gregor website (I will tell you how at the end of this entry) to enjoy the magnificent color of his newest watercolor and painting called Viberscapes. They are truly vibrant; their color is amazing, and to my surprise, these new paintings were done with Harold's left hand while his right hand was healing from a bike accident in 2004. After the injury healed, he painted right-handed versions of his left-handed efforts. (Talk about making beautiful wine out of sour grapes!) Not since Matisse have I enjoyed color like this. Harold's canvas, Landscape #217 "What of Yellow Eyes" is one of the most joyful pieces of art I have ever seen! Harold Gregor's work is represented in prominent public and private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Filipacchi Collection in Paris. Now, how to see for yourself, this amazing art.

Go to Google and type: Harold Gregor Illinois Artist
Click on first entry: About Harold Gregor
Scroll down to SELECTED ARTICLES
Click on the 11th entry: article by Kinsey called: "Plain Pictures: Images of American Prairie"
Click on Portfolio, and enjoy Favorites of mine: Ten to Neon Blue, What of Yellow Eyes,
Viberscapes