Distinctly Montana Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.distinctlymontana.com/i/82275
December Spring Creek DM Greg, we knew you back in the days when you were a drywall contractor, but had no idea you were working behind-the-scenes on your art. How long did it take you move from drywall to canvas? GS I've always had the desire to create things, which I've done in a variety of ways over the years, and have loved to draw since I was a kid. When I started painting landscapes on location about 11 years ago, I knew I had found the right outlet for my creative energy. Even though those early paintings were pretty rough, I realized a door had been opened and I kept pushing my- self. I took several workshops over the next few years and began to see with more of an artist's eye, and painted at every opportunity. With a family to provide for, running a drywall business and painting, I had a pretty full plate. This must have felt like a risky move at the time. What made you finally make the decision to work full-time on your art? After two or three years of working with galleries and art shows, I felt it was time to choose be- tween the drywall business and art. Having the support of my wife, Tracy, made the decision to move toward art much easier. Many old friends, and new friends in the art world were also very supportive. That was in 2007. In retrospect I guess it was a risky move, but it just felt like the right direction for me to go. Sometimes you have to trust your intuition and imagination, and in this case. I think I made the right call. www.distinctlymontana.com Most of your work is of landscapes and the natural beauty of our Montana surroundings. What, besides the obvious, makes this subject matter so attractive to you? I'm trying to express myself with each paint- ing and that seems to work best with land- scapes. I've always been drawn to nature, and with all the time that I've spent outdoors I feel I can mold a scene to suit my own artistic vi- sion and still have it read as an honest inter- pretation of nature. Your recent work includes more Montana critters. Will you be exploring this area more in your art? I enjoy doing figure and portrait sketches, and will occasionally paint wildlife, although I don't really consider myself a wildlife painter. As I grow as an artist and figure out how to put my own artistic touch on these subjects, you may see more of them in the future. Your art travels are taking you this Fall to Wyoming and Arizona, and you have recently been in other events from California to Maryland. Do you have a sense that apprecia- tion of your work has grown beyond Montana? Montana is my home, and this region will continue to be the inspiration for the majority DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL See more of Greg's paintings, go to... www.distinctlymontana.com/scheibel124 33