Life journeys can go in unexpected directions. Perhaps this holds even truer for those who are artists at heart. For GRETCHEN RAICHLE, creativity was one of her earliest callings. “As a younger person, I immersed myself in drawing and attempted paintings and pastels,” she recalls. “Illustration, like images in childhood books, and later discovering Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, and Sargent were huge attractions, and that of the ‘Red Rose Girls’ fascinated me to no end.” These memories were tucked away. Some acquired the sheen of nostalgic luster. Others seemingly vanished into the folds of time. Gretchen, who had pursued other passions in life including being a professional chef, was determined to excavate what once moved her most deeply. “Some 45 years later, when I dug out all the books, magazines and materials I had collected, I discovered I was drawn to watercolor.” But making art is not riding a bicycle. “I was paralyzed looking at a white sheet of paper until I found ALICE MEYER-WALLACE at Community Arts Center, Wallingford,” the artist continues, referencing an esteemed member of the OFF THE WALL community and a past Mary Liz Fellow. “Alice has been my mentor, teacher and friend over the last five years,” adds Gretchen, “and her free-spirited enthusiasm and encouragement have made all the difference.” These are the stories we love to hear. We are honored to have Gretchen as part of NEW FACES OF ‘23, where she represents her medium in all its subtleties and sublimeness. Perhaps watercolor is just as much a hero of this story as are Gretchen and Alice. “Watercolor is a truly magical medium. It is luminous and always full of surprises if you just let it in.”
GRETCHEN RAICHLE
“Red Cup”
23 x 19.5
watercolor on 140 lb. cold press Arches paper
250.
