Today we’d like to introduce you to Glenda Semler.
Hi Glenda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My first vivid memory of being artistic dates back to childhood. I would get lost in my tiny room, sketching designs for my First Holy Communion dress when I was in third grade in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I grew up inspired by my parents; my father was a carpenter, and my mother was a florist and a crafty woman. Both were creative entrepreneurs who worked from our home, surrounding me with creativity from an early age. From my father, I learned to appreciate the value of detailed craftsmanship, and from my mother, I discovered the beauty and wonder found in artistic expression. You could say I was taught to appreciate beautiful handmade things from a very young age.
Although I have always been a creative person, I did not fully embrace my artistic talents until after I married in 2012 and began traveling the country with my husband during his time in the military. Those experiences opened my eyes to new places, people, and inspirations that ultimately shaped me into the artist I am today. With the encouragement and support of my loving husband, I was urged to keep my creative flame alive to keep myself busy. He has always been one of my greatest supporters when it comes to my art. With each paycheck, I invested in different artistic mediums to explore what truly resonated with me. I experimented with watercolor, pastels, collage, and anything else I felt I could manipulate creatively. In the beginning, I was especially drawn to abstract art. I even participated in my first local show in Temple, Texas. At that point, I simply knew that I loved working with paint and the endless possibilities it offered.
However, nothing truly clicked until I began researching how to improve my drawing skills. Nearly every master artist emphasized that great painting begins with great drawing. I became inspired watching artists like James Gurney, Jeff Hein, Quang Ho and Alison Schuchs create stunning realistic works of art. That was the beginning of the rabbit hole for me. I immediately immersed myself in learning, searching for the kind of curriculum and training that would help me reach that level of skill.
What I discovered was empowering; with the right mindset and dedication, I could learn to draw better. From that moment on, I began drawing every single day, a practice I still try to dedicate myself to today.
I continued to study on my own whenever I could. Over time, I grew to love the technical discipline and craftsmanship associated with classically trained artists. Anything I could find online related to technical drawing or realism, I eagerly studied. I immersed myself in free resources, tutorials, lectures, and demonstrations, constantly searching for ways to improve my skills and understanding of art.
Through that process, I realized that attending art school was not necessarily something I needed to do in order to become an artist. I learned that it was possible to be self-taught with enough discipline, curiosity, and dedication. I checked out nearly every art book I could find from the Kleberg Public Library and spent countless hours studying them. During the COVID pandemic and throughout much of my college years, I dedicated my free time to drawing and painting studies.
While attending Coastal Bend College in Kingsville, I chose to study science; another subject I have always been deeply passionate about. After graduating, and following our move to Corpus Christi, I decided to fully commit myself to my art practice and pursue it wholeheartedly.
Living and working in Corpus Christi has been a great adventure. I am an active artist in the community, and I truly love it here. I exhibit my work locally in galleries such as, The Art Center of Corpus Christi and K Space Contemporary Art Gallery. I am also part of an exclusive group of artists who gather to paint live at many of our local art galleries and events, with the latest location at The Art Museum of South Texas.
My most recent work created in my studio focuses on local animals, combining my love of science with art. My process involves studying their anatomical structures as well as the environments they inhabit. I strive not only to be a skilled painter, but also to truly understand the subjects and surroundings I portray. I believe it is important to be knowledgeable about what you are painting, as it leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road; it has been one filled with many turns and bumps along the way. While my husband served, I had the opportunity to experience the majestic beauty of our country and the many places we called home. The hardest part was the constant leaving, saying goodbye to friends and communities I had become a part of. Equally challenging was having to rebuild that sense of community again at each new station.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I enjoy painting from life, and much of my work is inspired by objects, places, and subjects that have been meaningful parts of my life. Portraits, interior scenes, animals, flowers, still lifes, and landscapes are some of my favorite subjects to paint. While I often work directly from life, I also paint from reference photographs when needed. I do not consider myself confined to a specific niche because I genuinely enjoy painting a wide variety of subjects.
You can often find me painting during local art walks, working en plein air to capture scenes in real time. I have completed multiple interior paintings of K Space Contemporary Art Gallery, documenting its different exhibits through observational painting. I think there is something special about preserving those moments and spaces through art.
Although oil paint is my primary medium, I also work with acrylic and graphite. Currently, I am deeply focused on studying animals. One of the aspects of my work I am most proud of is the time I dedicate to studying anatomy in order to better understand the animals I paint. I believe that knowledge allows me to paint them more accurately and authentically.
In general, I try to learn as much as possible about any subject I choose to paint or draw. For example, when painting an interior scene, I will study perspective and spatial relationships to better understand the environment. This project-based approach to learning has helped me grow tremendously as an artist and has become one of the most unique aspects of my creative process. It gives my work a deeper sense of meaning and connection beyond simply creating an image.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that Corpus Christi automatically felt like a place I could call home. One of the first things I noticed was how friendly and welcoming the local people were. After living all over the country during my husband’s time in the military, I realized just how important culture and community are to me. Corpus Christi reminds me in many ways of the culture and traditions I grew up with in New Mexico, but with the added beauty of the beach and one of the most supportive and creative art communities I have ever been a part of.
At the moment, one of my biggest concerns is the ongoing water crisis. It is something that affects the entire community, and I remain hopeful that a long-term solution will emerge soon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glendasemlerart.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glendasemler/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glendasemler
Image Credits
William Semler, Alison Schuchs, Debbie Noble
