Theresa Girard - Maker Monday's May 2024

Theresa Girard

Theresa has been involved with SCAA since 2005, and was featured in a Members Invitational Exhibition in 2016. She has taught art to adults for over 30 years and is a nationally sought-after facilitator of a variety of workshops. Her group, "Support Women Artists," helps provide aid for women creatives in the area. Theresa is represented by several galleries throughout the country and her work has been featured in national publications including The Artist Magazine, Palette Magazine, Art Collector, Florida Design, Gulfshore Life, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest and Home & Design. Splitting her time between Florida and Rhode Island, she is an exhibiting member of the Providence Art Club and the current "Artist in Residence" at Arts Center Bonita.

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Where are you from, and what do you make?
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Originally, I’m from Providence, RI. I currently live in Narragansett.  I make larger format non-objective acrylic work on canvas and paper.  I also dabble with sculpture and mixed media.  

How long have you been seriously pursuing art?
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I usually answer this question by saying since crayons. I believe I have always been drawn to  creativity. I seriously made it my work focus sometime around the late 1990’s.

What inspires you to create?​

I am influenced by nature, current events, and most things that make life interesting. Things that reflect my life experiences and times that have touched me in some way. My inspiration is not always recognized in the final result. 

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?
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This is a very difficult question for me to answer. There are so many people that have an influence on my work and my art life. I would have to say Al Lachman. This wonderful artist can work freely through any medium and was an incredible pastelist. He took my practice to another level encouraging me to be courageous and push through with observation and critical thinking. He also taught me many things about surviving the art world and about life. He sincerely encouraged me through it all and I will be forever grateful.

Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?
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Yes, “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso. I saw it in NY in the 80’s, I nearly fell to my knees.  What I saw were the stories my mother told me about the war and how it affected her short life.  I put it in the back of my mind and waited for the right time to bring it forward.  In 2022 during Covid I finally had time to pull a contemporary version together, “Circling Back,”  which was featured as a solo show at the Providence Art Club.

As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?
I have been involved with many associations over the years and I have to say that SCAA is the best. The administrative staff are professional, intelligent, and compassionate. The group flows freely focused on a mutual goal. They are extremely organized and motivated. I always feel welcome there, it was the first place I saw my work in an actual gallery, it will always have my heart. 

Tell us a joke:

What do you call a snowman that plays the piano?
​Meltin’ John