Millie Gift Smith About
Acrylics and watercolor are my mediums at this time. I don't do oils as much, because the fumes bother my lungs. However, I am not content to keep the same supplies, I branch out and experiment with other mediums. If you look at my studio--you will find a large variety of paintings. I think that I am my own worst critiic, never content with each painting I do. I must paint, although it is difficult now to find the time as I once did.
Let me tell you a little about me. I was married for years to my first husband. he was a musician and artistic. I have 3 children by that marriage. My husband died in 1998 and I was a widow for several years. Then I married my girlfriend's husband. She died in 1999. I have been married now for 4 years to John Smith. My first husband was Aldon Gift. Hence--my name--Milliegiftsmith. I was an art instructor for over 35 years, I taught acrylic and watercolor. I have exhibited my work in dozens of Michigan shows and competitions. My work has been published several times in the North Light Book Club magazine, in children___'s books and in Rockport Publishers___' hardcover book, Best of Watercolor - Painting Color.
I am now making videos and putting them on youtube. It is a way of still teaching and showing my different ideas.Look them up, I have many. I spend more time doing those then actually painting.
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Biography
I have loved to paint since I was five years old. I don___'t think there___'s anything that compares to a love affair like painting. My deepest desire is to use my God-given talent to bring others the beauty of the world God created. While I love painting a variety of subjects, my favorite is landscapes, especially the changing seasons in Southern Michigan.
My paintings have appeared in many exhibitions, including the Michigan Watercolor Society___'s annual exhibits and traveling shows; a dozen one-woman art shows at the Jackson Community College Potter Center; and the Lansing Art Gallery and Battle Creek Art Center. I have won many awards, including People___'s Choice at various exhibits, Honorable Mention at a Birmingham show, and Artist of the Month for the Jackson Civic Art Association. My work has been published several times in the North Light Book Club magazine, in children___'s books and in Rockport Publishers___' hardcover book, Best of Watercolor - Painting Color.
I___'ve developed a variety of techniques mainly by experimenting on my own in every possible medium, including collage, acrylic gel, and other mixed media. I___'ve also benefited from the workshops of such artists as Al Brouillette, Lee Beaman, Marilyn Derwnkus, Denise Lisiecki, Mark Mehaffey, Nita Leland, and Marilyn Hughey Phillis, and from oil and watercolor classes by several noted Michigan artists.
Over several years I was President, Vice-President and Board Member of the Civic Art Association I taught art in my home studio for many years and at Ella Sharp Museum and the Community College branch at Southern Prison.
Painting is a constant learning process. To grow we must paint continually. With each success we reaffirm our skills. We must never be satisfied but always strive to do our very best. Our failures should make us try harder to create that special masterpiece!
Address
- Address:
- 490 Island Heights Drive
- City:
- Grass Lake
- State/Province:
- Mi.
- Postal Code:
- 49240