Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Rector.
Hi Greg, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a very “blue collar” town called Barberton in NE Ohio. I developed a love for drawing in elementary school and won my first art award when I was in the sixth grade – second place in the City Art Show. I was in high school from 1969 until 1972 and really had a opportunity to excel artistically. Despite this “blue collar” environment, my high school offered advanced drawing, advanced sculpture, watercolor painting, oil painting and silversmithing. Of all the classes I took, silversmithing was my favorite – it was by far the most challenging.
Upon graduating, I opted not to pursue a career in art education but obtained a business degree instead. I moved to Texas 1985 had a very successful sales career but continued to draw and paint in my spare time. In 2000, I decided I really missed silversmithing and set up a garage studio. However, operating from 28-year-old memories and with no internet, I found I was really just wasting silver.
In 2020, my wife, Marsha and I decided it was a good time for me to retire. Her only stipulation was no sitting in my recliner all day watching ESPN. I decided I wanted to relearn silversmithing but was unable to find any lessons locally through an internet search. At the suggestion of my college roommate, Bryan Lile, I looked for a local gem and mineral club. He has a friend whose wife makes jewelry and that is where she started. Fortunately, after talking to clubs in Dallas and Fort Worth, I stumbled across the Arlington Texas Gem and Mineral Club – AGMC – and signed up for Introduction to Silversmithing in February of 2020. My instructor, Rick Allen was instrumental in helping me to launch my second career. Since then, I regularly attended various classes, became an instructor and I now serve on the Club’s Executive Committee.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My journey at AGMC and my reintroduction to silversmithing was anything but smooth. In Introduction to Silversmithing, My first instructor, Rick Allen (now the Club President) asked us what our goal was for the Class. I said, “I can draw a piece of jewelry that looks extremely lifelike, but I can’t make a piece of jewelry that remotely looks like the drawing to save my soul!” I mistakenly thought that just because I had four high school semesters of silversmithing some 48 years ago, that somehow, I should immediately be a highly skilled silversmith. I struggled big time! The techniques I could remember were outdated, I had difficulty with many of the basic soldering and design exercises so much so that I actually told Marsha I was not going back for a second class.
Thank goodness, with her “encouragement” (threats) I did go back. Rick was my instructor for the next three classes, and, with his patience and guidance, I was able to turn the corner and started to see some real progress. So much so, that I was fortunate to place second in the Texas State Fair jewelry competition.
As you know, we’re big fans of McKesson 20 years – Vizient 6 years. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I have been retired since 2020 but prior to that I worked in the medical sales industry. I spent the first 15 years of my career working in the materials management and purchasing departments at three different hospitals. I then went on the “other side of the desk” and went to work for McKesson. At McKesson I started out designing materials and pharmaceutical handling systems. The last 15 years with McKesson I crossed over from consulting to actually selling these systems to hospitals and medical systems. My time with Vizient was slightly different. I sold and marketed a pricing program that insured users where receiving the best supply pricing in the marketplace.
One aspect that I enjoyed at both of these companies was the creative use of PowerPoint as a marketing tool. Although it wasn’t drawing, painting or silversmithing, I was able to become very proficient with this tool, and I was really able to create supporting graphics to really enhance my presentations. During this time, I was still drawing and painting “on the side”.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I read a great quote this week. “You don’t make art to be useful. You make it because something inside you has no other language.” I was born with a great deal of creativity, and I was always trying to analyze where that originates. I’ve never quite figured it out, but I do know the less you worry about that, the more open you are to letting the ideas flow and take shape.
I feel guilty sometimes when people comment positively about my ability to create designs and draw. For some reason it comes so easily for me. I have my moments where artist block sets in. When that happens, I get away from my studio and watch the news or read a book – anything to “erase” the pressure. Soon enough, the “clouds” disappear and things start clicking again.
I feel strongly that whatever degree of talent I possess is a gift from God. In this situation, I believe this is a gift the requires giving back. Ive discovered that gifting, for me, produces significantly more endorphins than selling. I see this not as a “pat myself on the back” but as pay back. I regularly donate pieces of jewelry back to our Club (Arlington Gem and Mineral Club) to use in our silent auction for fund raising. I also like to look for charitable organizations as a point of donation to assist in their fund-raising activities. I truly believe this isn’t exemplary behavior; it’s a personal responsibility.
Pricing:
- Each of my pieces are individually priced based on material costs, design complexity and the time required to complete.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: greg.rector.77
- Facebook: designsbygreg2021@gmail.com
