painting a traceable life

Biography...

Gretchen Van Winkle’s extensive and diverse body of work  began in the late 80’s with figure painting in oils.  In the 90’s she began plein air landscape painting and continues that pursuit both locally and out of country. Her main focus is on commissioned portraits but continues to explore both figurative and landscape painting.


Her colorful landscapes  won awards at the Creative Arts Event 2005, put on by the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department.  Gretchen received an “Exceptional” award for “The Path” and an “Outstanding” award for "Friends: Whetstone Park” both in the oil painting category. 

Gretchen’s passion for creating art emerged while taking courses at the Flint Institute of Art in Flint, Michigan.   She later discovered her love of figure painting while attending studio classes at the Cultural Arts Center in Columbus, Ohio, studying under Tracy Steinbrook.  A passion for travel took her to Italy twice, where she studied plein air landscape painting under Maddine  Insalaco and Joe Vinson. 

Gretchen a native and resident of Columbus, Ohio.  Her work may be found in private collections from New York to Oregon state.

Plein air...

Featured on the front page of the Columbus Dispatch:

"In a yellow wood - Nature's palette has been sensational this week in Whetstone Park, providing a perfect opportunity for admirers such as Gretchen Van Winkle to work on a painting..."