Nan McGarity
Nan Mcgarity Workshops
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 Nan McGarity recalls as a child looking forward to receiving the monthly issue of Ford Times (a trade publication to which her father subscribed). She would flip through the pages which were full of colorful illustrations and art, dreaming that one day she would be able to draw and paint like the artists who created those wonderful visual images.
Pursuing that dream did not happen until much later in life. Her love of special needs children lead her into a career of teaching. She obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education and taught children with orthopedic impairments for 30 years.
 At 47 years of age she discovered the dormant talent that had been lying within her. A friend, who is an artist, invited her to her home to paint a 5”X7” magnolia blossom. Her friend simply said, “Do what I do”. And she did. Her friend encouraged her to seek out the best instructors, study, paint and paint some more. And that she did. McGarity has been studying with several acclaimed artists including Gloria Perkins Satterfield, Johnnie Lilidahl and Karen Lostracco and continues to seek instruction from other master artists.
McGarity’s favorite medium is oil. Her use of brilliant colors and broad loose strokes result in vibrant paintings whether large florals, still lifes, or landscapes. She is currently the featured artist of the Greensboro Arts Alliance and her work is on display in the library foyer. McGarity’s most recent honor is being named a finalist in the 2007 Brushdance Plein Aire Invitational at Tiger Mountain Vineyards in Clayton Georgia. She has also captured best in show and placed in other shows.
McGarity retired from teaching November 2006, or so she thought. After renovating a 70 year old, 2000 square foot building, which was originally the office of the historic Mary- Leila Cotton Mill in Greensboro, Ga. McGarity opened the doors of Historic Mill Studio. Here she planned to host art workshops taught by invited artists. “I had no plan to teach myself when I opened the studio. My  plan was to invite other artists to conduct workshops for intermediate and advanced students. Teaching comes naturally to me and I have had such an overwhelming request for beginner workshops that I have put together a series of 6 beginner workshops. These workshops are designed to advance anyone who has the desire to paint, to a confidence and skill level needed to pursue more advanced instruction with my invited artists. I have three requirements for my workshops, a good attitude, the desire to try, and the ability to follow instructions. That is all I ask my beginner oil painters to bring to class.”
In addition to painting and hosting workshops at her studio in Greensboro, McGarity accepts invitations from clubs, organizations, and small groups, to demonstrate oil painting. She also accepts invitations to conduct out-of-town introduction to oil painting workshops.
To find out more about her workshops, to be added to contact list for notification of new classes, or to register for workshops contact:
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