I've been painting for more than half of my life. Prior to that music was my choice of expression. But when I did pick up my first brush I was hooked. I fell in love with watercolors and sold my very first paintings right out of the framer's shop. That encouraged me and pushed me onward.
I spent the next 10 years studying, painting and selling at art shows and galleries throughout the northwest United States. In the late 1980's I started Sierra Artist's Association in Reno, NV. In the early 90's I opened up "Two Sisters Gallery" in Reno, NV. It was a working gallery where I had so many wonderful artists and teachers. We taught everything from paper making to advanced oil painting. It was in my gallery that I was introduced to oils.
Saying that I’m a self-taught artist seems diluted and an incorrect statement. Not having a degree in art does not reflect the hours I have studied and been taught by the masters, read from great scholars on art history or instructed by more experienced artists on the uses and applications of all the mediums. Nor does it reflect the tuition I have paid for this education. I would say being self-taught for me has meant the same as home teaching my youngest son. Being self-motivated and having the ability to self-educate oneself certainly holds water for those of us who do poorly in a classroom environment.
Galleries
What I do stand on is being authentic. I've always felt that it was cheating to use other artist's techniques. Correct or not I need to be authentic. My work is now in private collections throughout the United States, Europe, Australia and China.
How does my art affect you? Does it make you smile or raise your blood pressure? Does it make you happy or sad? That's what painting is about for me. I love to pick out a canvas and just let it happen. No preconceived ideas. I just put some color on the canvas and keep going. I can tell you the exact paint stroke I did that started "Red Mountain". Many times when I've finished a painting, I find the real painting when I turn it upside down. That seems to reflect life, don't you think?
Have I won awards? Yes. Is it important? Maybe. It gives me a boost of confidence, kicks in my competitive side and it's always a compliment, but as an artist I would have to say no. The only thing that is important to me is painting, creating, working, escaping into that other realm and expressing me at that moment. To me it's my own theatre, where I can write my own plays and listen to the music that explodes from a finished piece.
I want my art to make you feel something. No, the truth is that I want you to know me. Art is the only universal language. I have something to say and I want you to listen. Hear my joy, my pain, my confusion, my who or whatever I am at that moment. Each is a self portrait of me.
Critique:
Crossing the borders of realism into abstract fantasy, artist Peggy Guichu renders not only an original work with each new piece, but creates in new dimensions not yet stylized within her other worldly creations combining the spiritual, emotional, and universal languages creating her own visual dialect in the abstract realm unique to all others. The hand of a master and genius combined in one - a rare treat to witness.
Denise Williams
Art Director
Santa Fe ArtWorld
Critique:
I find your work original, intriguing, complex, and riveting. One aspect that is notable is that your art is frequently beautiful while never, ever descending into merely decorative or pretty. Yours is not work one would buy merely to match the colors in the couch and living room scheme, although people might. It's serious, genuine art, not prettified abstracts.
Bubbles is sheerly (unqualified, utter; also diaphanous) beautiful. The different layers of paint echo the lightness and translucency of bubbles. The composition itself shows a bubble scheme, an effervescence of image as opposed to a highly structured composition. Guichu's use of color also emphasizes the "bubbleness" of the piece with its bursts of tints as if a bubble had exploded into a splotch of delightful color. The playfulness of "Bubbles" corresponds to the theme, as well. The bubbles appear to float on a soft background of mist. The piece brings to mind...no one! While the antecedents are deeply rooted in abstraction, I can't think of any other artist whose work seems similar. Guichu has pulled off a singular, individualized piece of work, as is true of all her pieces.
M.Y. Mim
Art Critic
Resume
He Gallery, 798 Art District, Beijing, China
Gina Kay Lochausen Gallery, El Paso, TX
Awards
Art Jury Merit Award for "Loving Cranes"
FASO Awarded Outstanding Abstract “Bubbles“, Fine Art Views Competition
First Place Abstract Watercolor, "Egret" Splendor of the Sierras, Northstar, CA
First Place Watercolor, “Abundance“, Earth Day Celebration, Reno, NV
First Place Watercolor, “Indian Woman” Nevada State Fair, Reno, NV
First Place Abstract Watercolor, “Indian with Skin” Tahoe 11th Annual Fine Arts, Northstar, CA
Best of Show Herald Fine Art Gallery, Los Angeles, CA “Abstract Tree”
National Juried Art Shows
2010 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp., Master Class Plus Artist, “Loving Cranes” in Spring/Summer
2009 FASO, Awarded Outstanding Abstract, “Bubbles” December Competition
2009 X-Power Gallery, International Art Competition & Show, Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, CA
“On The Road To Enlightenment”
2009 International Peace Art Competition and Show, Peace Museum, Dayton, OH
“Peace” and “An Offering”
2009 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp., Master Class Plus Artist, “Rose Pods” in Spring/Summer
2008 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp, Master Class Plus Artist, “One Step Up From Third” Fall/Winter
2008 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp., Master Class Plus Artist, “Mist in the Horizon” in Spring/Summer
2007 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp., Master Class Plus Artist, “Roses” in Fall/Winter
2007 Art Jury Int‘l. Comp., Master Class Artist, “Unity” in Spring/Summer
2006 Art Jury Int’l. Comp., “Red Mountain” in Fall/Winter
2006 Art Jury Int’l. Comp., “Heat” in Spring/Summer
Solo Shows
Alta Phoenix Loft Gallery, Phoenix, AZ
“Phoenix”, China International Design and Art Fair, Beijing, China
Two Sisters Gallery, Reno, NV
Silver State Gallery, Reno, NV
Vision Quest, Sparks, NV
Tahoe Auxiliary, Art Gallery, Truckee, CA
International Group or Two Person Shows
2010 Mystery Shore – HeArt Club Exhibition, He Gallery, 798 Art District 2010, Beijing, China
Initial Era – Sequential Group Exhibition of HeArt Club, He Gallery, 798 Art District, Beijing, China
2010 Rainbow – Two Artist Exhibition of Peggy Guichu and Zeng Hong Mei, He Gallery, 798 Art District, Beijing, China
Peggy Guichu
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