October 20, 2026; 12:30pm

Connie Gifford

Artist Statement

“As a child living in Dayton, Ohio, I was enchanted with color…the brighter, the better.  My childhood passion for drawing, painting, and art in general launched me into a 30-year profession in graphic arts and a degree in visual communication.  Bright colors motivated me then, and they still do.  In 2011, I discovered the magic of watercolor, and my childhood passion returned. 
 
I’m inspired by all things in nature and strive to focus the bright, transparent freshness of watercolor to lure a viewer into my painting.  I want people to feel the life pulsing in the blending of transparent colors together to create a glow that is only found in watercolor. My limited palette from three to eight transparent colors, is selected to intensify a mood, celebrate a moment, and make my work sing. 
 
I attend workshops with nationally acclaimed watercolor artists. I study videos on watercolor and online courses, and I attend demos and lectures at local art groups and co-chair a Thursday watercolor group each week with local watercolor artists. I am a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society and past President of Western Ohio Watercolor Society, an associate member of Transparent Watercolor Society of America, a member of Fairborn Art Association and a member of Miamisburg Art Gallery. I live in Kettering, Ohio, with my husband and family.”