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October 10, 2009

Art Guild features Robert Gibbons in October

By Eloise Weymouth

TERRE HAUTE — Lifelong Terre Haute resident Robert Gibbons is being honored by the Wabash Valley Art Guild as the October Artist of the Month at the Vigo County Public Library. He brings three landscapes of rural North Carolina painted in watercolor for the exhibit. “These paintings,” Gibbons explains, “are of my wife’s childhood scenes. First is ‘Lawson’s Barn,’ that’s her grandfather’s barn and it was done in sepia tones. The second painting is called ‘Grandpa Waters’ Sunday Buggy.’ This buggy was out back of the barn. ‘Waters’ Mill’ is the third. It’s of an old roller mill and another North Carolina landmark,” Gibbons said. These paintings will be on display during October.

Gibbons paints only in watercolor. That’s how he started out as a child, studying under local watercolor artist Jane Yung on Saturday mornings. He remembers walking from the downtown area where his father worked and on down Sixth Street to the St. Anthony Hospital neighborhood to spend his Saturday mornings with Yung learning the basics of this water media. Later, life got in the way of his painting career, so it was put on hold for many years. However, about 15 years before his retirement, he was in a situation which rekindled his earlier artistic interest. Gibbons and a small group of his friends, all out-of-doors, wildlife enthusiasts, conceived an idea which evolved into the local Ducks Unlimited organization. This original committee asked him to do a waterfowl painting which would be used for promotion of the new group. It became such a success that this started a yearly tradition of his paintings being used for marketing purposes which would appeal to other hunters and fishermen. This activity became instrumental in reactivating his creative skills. He continued to provide the group with an annual wildlife painting for as long as he remained on their committee.

Gibbons is retired now and enjoys painting every day. His favorite subjects remain the wildlife of his earlier years, especially ducks, pheasant and quail. He likes to paint on location whenever possible and the creeks where he used to fish are of special attraction, especially Sugar Creek. However, thanks to his wife Pat, who hails from New Mexico, he has found another area to explore with his watercolor paintings – an interest in western art. Mainly he is a landscape painter, using his palette to create lifelike scenes with natural elements such as the waterfowl he loves. He and his wife live in a lovely wooded area of Terre Haute where he can see wildlife every day. “I see wild turkey and deer right outside where I live,” Gibbons remarked, “in addition to those wonderful old oaks, beautiful subjects to use in my paintings and photographs.” Although he prefers to paint on location, photos really fill in when you can’t be out in the field. Over the years, he has acquired a large reference file of photos and books which he uses to help bring his paintings to life.

When he plans a painting, he starts with several small sketches, then makes a rough draft about 4 inches by 6 inches of the entire planned painting. Although this helps, he still refers to his references. “The problem of working with just a photograph,” Gibbons commented, “is that you won’t find any perfect photos!”

At this time, Gibbons just enjoys painting for pleasure. When asked for advice he would like to pass along to any aspiring artist, he said, “Practice and practice. Books have helped … and someone will help you if you ask.” He says to always strive to make the next painting a little better.

The Wabash Art Guild meets on the second Thursday of the month, usually downstairs at the Vigo County Public Library. This month, the Guild meeting will be at the ISU Department of Education building on the ISU campus, with a discussion of the newly refurbished mural by Bill Wolfe. More information about the Wabash Valley Art Guild can be found at www.wabashvalleyartguild.org or by e-mailing wabashvalleyartguild@gmail.com. Meetings are free and the public is invited to attend.

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