R. Gregory Summers
Inside the artist,
I am about painting, about people, and helping others. I am an artist of the land; I am a plein air artist.
Born in the Flint Hills of Kansas with 4 sisters and 1 brother, my father was a cowboy turned truck driver, and we were lucky enough to have a stay at home Mom.
Served in the USAF at the end of the Vietnam War, I went straight to study art at Johnson County Community College on the GI Bill. Here I met Prof Jean Howard, and learned painting.
My professional career as an artist began in 1979 at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Missouri, where I learned the art of sculpting in metal and continued as a Master Engraver for the next 30 years.
The end of the 70’s and early 80’s I began competing in National and International painting competitions and winning. I did not continue with my painting, I let a sure career, and a growing family take front seat to my experiment with putting paint to canvas.
The 21st century brought many changes in his life. The biggest was the realization that drugs & alcohol were not the cure-all that I thought it was, and that the only way forward was to put it behind. With this knowledge, a new marriage to Susie, my loving and supportive wife I was able to focus on what I loved and did best, PAINT!
In 2010 I stepped outdoors for the first time and found that you can combine painting with the great wide open, through a Continuing Education course at the Kansas City Art Institute, taught by Anne Garney. At this realization I went full force ahead without looking back.
Late 2011 I met who was to be my Mentor till his untimely death. Rick Howell was not only one of the most talented artists I had ever met, but above that he loved people and saw belief and hopes in each and everyone.
I believe that one can help themselves best by helping others. I don’t try to inspire, or be any sort of model. I am an imperfect soul, and look to be spending my life here learning as I can. I have a lot of experience I can share; if that inspires another in some manner I am honored.
My help in forming the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society with Jeff Sparks, Brent Seevers, and Rachel Mindrup was for this purpose. To help other artists and art lovers find a place they could live, learn, and share art in this wonderful region I live in.
“We go outdoors to enjoy the land, or stay inside to avoid it.”
It is Gregory Summers an outdoor artist that brings the outside in.
“Have Paints, will Travel”
Exhibits
2017
En Plein Air Texas, San Angelo, TX
Cape Ann Plein Air Festival, Cape Ann, MA
Artists of the New Century, Invitational, Bennington, VT
Door County Plein Air Festival, Invited Artist, Fish Creek, WI
RG Enders Gallery, Group Show, Prairie Village, KS
The Rice Gallery, National Plein Air Show, Leawood, KS
OPS Southwest Salon, Dallas, TX
Heartland Artist Exhibit, Tim Murphy Gallery, Shawnee Mission, KS
Artigras Art Exhibit, Leawood, KS
Lighthouse Arts Center, Invited Artist, Palm Beach, FL
Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery Plein Air Invitational, Lindsborg, KS
Stems Plein Air Competition, Overland Park, KS
Wild Rivers Plein Air Festival, Questa, NM (Judge)
Association of Nebraska Art Clubs, York, NE (Judge)
SAAC Juried Competion, El Dorado, AR
2016
Faculty Demo Artist, Plein Air Convention & Expo, Tucson, AZ (click)
En Plein Air Texas, San Angelo, TX (click)
Zion National Park Plein Air Art Invitational, Springdale, UT (click)
Plein Air Richmond, Richmond, VA (click)
Plein Air Rockies, Estes Park, CO (click)
17th Annual American Impressionist Society National juried show, Kirkland, WA
Santa Fe Plein Air Festival, Santa Fe, NM (click)
Where in the World is Plein Air 2016, International (click)
“Frivolities of Summers” Solo Exhibit, Willa Cather Foundation, Red Cloud, NE (click)
Lighthouse Arts Center Plein Air Festival, Jupiter, FL (click)
Artigras Juried Exhibition, Leawood, KS (click)
Glen Rose Plein Air, Glen Rose, TX (Juror) (click)
OPS Southwest Salon, Dallas, TX (click)
Summer Snow: A Celebration of Landscape, Group Show, Red Cloud, NE (click)
2015
PAPNM Juried exhibition, Santa Fe, NM
Olana Plein Air, Hudson, New York
Crested Butte Plein Air Open exhibition, Crested Butte, CO
8th annual SAAG National Juried Competion, Blue Ridge, GA
19th Annual PAAC, National Juried Competition, Boulder, CO
OPS Plein Air Southwest, Dallas, TX
SCAA National Juried Show, Mableton, GA
ARTigras, juried completion, Leawood, KS
Old Traditons/New Frontiers, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO
OPS associate member online show, TX
Solo: Painting a Peace of America, The Underground Gallery, KCMO
Juror of Awards, 19th Annual Heartland Artists Exhibition, KS
2014
Outdoor Painter Society, Juror: OPS Signature members link
Puget Sound On-Line competition, Juror: Barry Eisenach link
NOAPS International On-Line competition. Juror: Thomas F. Tierney link
“Painting a Peace in America” Solo Exhibition, The Underground Gallery, Kansas City Artists Coalition, KCMO
“Parkville in Art”, Parkville, MO Debra Groesser: juror link
PAAC 18th Annual National Show, Abend Gallery, Denver, CO Karen Vance, juror link
AIS 15th Annual National Show, Abend Gallery, Denver CO Clayton J. Beck III: juror link
“American Landscapes” Staunton, VA Steve Doherty: juror link
Crested Butte Plein Air Invitational, Crested Butte, CO link
Plein Air Richmond, Richmond, VA Eric Rhoads: juror link
Publishers Invitational, Adirondacks, NY link
Penn Valley Plein Air Festival, KCMO (Phil Starke: juror)
“The Juried Show” Overland Park, KS
9th Annual National Art Exhibition, Punta Gorda, FL (Carl Samson: juror)
“Bringing it Back” Solo Exhibition, Evergreen, CO
“18th Annual Heartland Art Exhibition” Merriam, KS (Larry DeGraff: juror)
“A Touch of Dixie” Solo Exhibition, Leawood, KS
MVIS National Juried Exhibition, Albrecht Kemper Museum of Art, St Joseph MO (Dr. William Eickhorst: juror)
“Summers in Summit” Solo Exhibition, Lee’s Summit, MO
2013
NOAPS International On-Line competition. Juror: Douglas Wiltraut
Brush Creek Art Walk: plein air competition, Kansas City, MO
“Visions of the Flint Hills” juried exhibition and sale, Kansas City, MO
MVIS “American Vista’s” National juried exhibition, Kansas City, MO
Southern Appalachian National Exhibit, Blue Ridge, GA
HOAAA, Illinois River Watershed National Show, Bentonville, AR
American Impressionist Society, 14th Annual National Juried Competition, Charleston, SC (Kenn Backhaus: juror)
Oil Painters of America: 1st Annual, National Salon Show, Petoskey, MI (Thom Robinson: juror)
STEMS, plein air competition, Overland Park, KS (Kim Casebeer: juror)
“Friend of Animals” Buttonwood Art Space, Kansas City, MO
“Summers on the Plain” solo show, Graham Gallery, Hasting’s NE
Missouri Valley Impressionist Society 2nd annual juried show, SouthWind Gallery, Topeka, KS (Stephen T. Johnson; juror)
Images Art Gallery Juried Show, Overland Park, KS
“Changing Impressions”, invitational. OP Arboretum. Bucyrus, KS
“Spring Potpurri”, group show. Kansas City, MO
“Wings over the Platte”, juried exhibit. Grand Island, NE
“The Paintings”, juried exhibit. Overland Park, KS
“Heartland Art Exhibit” juried art exhibition, Merriam, KS (John Roush: juror)
2012
STEMS Plein Air juried exhibit, Overland Park, KS
Solo SM West Patron Gallery, Overland Park, KS
MVIS juried art exhibition, Lee?s Summit, MO
H&R Block Now Showing KCMO
Brush Creek Art Walk: a plein air competition, KCMO
Visions of the Flint Hills: juried art exhibit KCMO
MVIS inaugural juried art exhibit, Michael Albrechtsen juror KCMO
Heartland Art Exhibit, juried art exhibit. Merriam, KS
2011
KC Arts Council Keeping it Real 2 man show KCMO
Solo show En Plein Air Exhibit Chez Elle. Kansas City, MO
STEMS Plein Air juried exhibit, Overland Park, KS
Images AG Juried Art exhibit, OP KS
River Market Regional Exhibition, juror Dr. Patricia McDonald, KCMO
An Evening with the Arts group show. Mission, KS
Nebraska Landscape exhibit Glacial Till Gallery, Ashland NE
Buttonwood Gallery Visions of the Flint Hills juried exhibition KCMO
GotART No Place Like Home juried exhibition Lees Summit, MO
2010
Johnson County Art Fest, juried art exhibit. Olathe KS
2009
Johnson County Art Fest, juried art exhibit Olathe, KS
Group show, Engel Bindery. Kansas City, MO
2005
Johnson County Art Fest, juried art exhibit. Olathe KS
1994
Drupa Trade Show, Dusseldorf, Germany
1981
International Art Exhibition, juried art exhibit. Scarsdale, New York
1978 & 1979
Crown Center Art Fair, juried art exhibit. Kansas City MO
1978
40 Miles of Art, juried art exhibit. Nelson Art Gallery, Kansas City MO
1977
JCCC art show Overland Park, KS
Awards:
2017
HM 4th Annual Lighthouse Plein Air, Jupiter, FL, George Van Hook: Juror
1st Place, oils. Artigras, Leawood, KS, Valerie Phillips: Juror
HM, The Rice Gallery, National Plein Air Exhibit, Leawood, KS
1st Place oils, STEMS Plein Air Competion, Overland Park, KS, Cally Krallman: Juror
3rd Place oils, STEMS Plein Air Competion, Overland Park, KS, Cally Krallman: Juror
2016
HM, Plein Air Richmond, Richmond, VA
HM, OPS Southwest Gallery, Dallas, TX
HM, Tim Murphy Gallery, Shawnee Mission, KS
2015
Best of Show, Parkville in Art, Parkville, MO
Best of Show, Chase County Plein Air, Cottonwood Falls, KS
Purchase Award, Paint Marceline, Marceline, MO
1st place, SAAG National show, Blue Ridge, Georgia
1st place, Summer Nights, Plein Air Painters New Mexico
Honorable mention, OPS Associate member show
Honorable mention, ArtiGras, Leawood, KS
2014
Honorable Mention, OPS Associate Member Showcase. link
Best of Show. Parkville in Art, Debra Groesser: juror link
1st place Purchase Award, Parkville in Art, Debra Groesser: juror link
Honorable Mention, Parkville in Art, Debra Groesser: juror link
2nd place, Plein Air Richmond “Quick Paint” Richmond VA Robert A Johnson: juror link
Honorable Mention, Plein Air Richmond, Richmond VA Robert A Johnson: juror link
3rd place, STEMS Plein Air Competition, Overland Park, KS Michael Albrechtsen link
4th place, STEMS Plein Air Competition, Overland Park, KS Michael Albrechtsen link
3rd place, Penn Valley Plein Air Festival, KCMO (Phil Starke: juror)
2 Honorable Mentions, Augusta Plein Air Festival, Augusta, MO
Award of Merit, Heartland Artist Exhibition, Tim Murphy Gallery, Merriam KS. Juror: Larry DeGraff
2013
Mary Cohan Art Appreciation Award, STEMS plein air competition, Overland Park, KS
2nd place, oils STEMS plein air competition, Overland Park, KS. Juror: Kim Casebeer
1st place, Augusta Plein Air Festival, Klondike Park. Juror: Zac Barnes
2nd place, Augusta Plein Air Festival, Daniel Boones Farm
Best of Show: “Wings over the Platte”, Stuhr Museum, Grand Island, Nebraska
2012 Honorable Mention: Summer Solstice plein air competition Topeka, KS
2012 Honorable Mention: BCAW UMKC plein air comptetion, KCMO
2012 3rd place Southwind Gallery, Plein Air Paintout, Topeka, KS
2012 3rd place Parkville in Art Prof William Eikhorst juror, Parkville, MO
2011 4th place oils STEMS Plein Air juried exhibit, Overland Park, KS
2000 Best in Kansas City, 3D sculpture/mixed media, Sun Newspaper KS
1997 Best of Show FSEA embossed print Topeka, KS
1981 Honorable Mention Oils, Scarsdale NY
Published
2016 Plein Air Magazine: Bob Bahr
2016 American Art Collector: July, Artist Focus
2015 Fine Arts Conniseuer
2014 Plein Air Magazine: Steve Doherty, Nov. “Artists Painting Artists”
2013 Featured Artist, Written by Barbara Stroud, Charleston, South Carolina
2013 Artists Profile, Arts Council of Johnson County
2013 Outdoor Painter Magazine: Steve Doherty, MO Artists Visit OK Museum & Paint
2012 Outdoor Painter Magazine: Steve Doherty Extreme Plein Air
2012 Artist Paint Topeka: Southwind Gallery
2011 Review Art Magazine: Steve Brisendine Solo Art Exhibit Chez Elle
1978 May Issue: Trouser Press Magazine, RE Peter Hammil, “Jesus of Angst”
1978 Associate of Arts, Johnson County Community College
1979 Independent studies, Jean Howard
1979 Trained at Hallmark Cards with Jack Mayer, Frank Ellis as an Artistic Engraver, and Copper Styling Artist
1997-99 Art Director, Camp Naish, Santa Fe Trail District CSA , Johnson County Kansas
2010 Kansas City Artists Coalition
2010 Friends of the Nelson Art Gallery
2011 Friends of the Albrecht Kemper Gallery
2011 American Impressionist Society
2011 Oil Painters of America
2011 Cofounder Missouri Valley Impressionist Society
2012 Cofounder Brush Creek Art Walk: a plein air painting completion. KCMO
2013 Vice President, Greater Kansas City Artists Association
2011-2012 Mentor program, Rick Howell
2010 Continuing ed “Plein Air” Anne Garney KCAI
1979 Independent studies under Jean Howard, JCCC
1977-78 Associate of Arts, Johnson County Community College
1974-76 United States Air Force, Crew Chief, F4E MacDill AFB, Tampa Florida
Web Master:
www.rgregorysummers.com
www.missourivalleyimpressionistsociety.com
www.brushcreekartwalk.org
Greg
I am the person that bought the downtown scene of Crested Butte and ask you to change the cars. I thought I had your email address to send a picture but I do not. If you will send it to me I will send a picture.
I would like the lead car to be a 1940 ford delux convertible. The other cars can be any 1940 style car. The color of the lead car can be any color that is complimentary to the painting.
Thank you.
John Stull (214-364-0947)
John,
I believe I did get an email from you. If you do not receive my rsvp on it, give me a shout at 913 707 8337
thanks
Greg
Hello Gregory,
I am writing to invite you to join us for the Steamboat Art Museum Plein Air Paint Out. I found your website on the PAAC artist list, and I thought you might enjoy painting the autumn aspens with us up here. The event runs from September 20-27, with a reception on the 26th and a Quick Draw on the 27th. You can get more information on our website, http://www.steamboatartmuseum.com under Events. If you’ve never painted in Steamboat, you should know it is a beautiful, friendly place. There are many opportunities to paint anything from old ranches to wild rivers. Looking at your work, I think you would love it! Feel free to contact me with questions.
Happy Painting! Chula Beauregard
Thanks for the invite Chula, timing is a bit off. I’m up that way on the 29th, my 3 day painting competition here in Kansas City has it’s opening reception on the 26th. 2015 I’ll look to keep it open, love the area and the people.
Greg, found this on Facebook. Must say, I have always painted indoors but have loved the idea of “venturing” outdoors to try my hand there. I did as you did, put all my desire to paint and create on the back burner until recent years (I turned 74 today) and sinceI retired have finally had the time, but not always the money, to paint. I am partially self taught, only schooling in painting was in highschool and 2 semesters in college. How do I begin to have the courage to venture outdoors?
Hi Carole,
Thanks for the response, and it sounds like our roads have taken similar paths. That’s fantastic that you are getting back to what you want to do, and your desire to get out will be the driving force to gettion outdoors. I hope you like the outdoors, that’s always helpful then just be prepared. I believe I wrote a little blog about just this thing, getting outdoors to paint. If you are not prepared you may not enjoy it, and if you don’t enjoy it, why go back? Keep expectations down, don’t set yourself up for failure on this. Keep things simple, your supplies, and your subject. I hope you let me know how your first outdoor venture goes, and I applaud you for having the desire. That like I said will be catalyst 😉
So happy to have found another great artists who lives in my area. I just moved out to Kansas over a year ago and have had a lot of trouble finding other plein air/landscape artists out here. Saw this on the plein air magazine website, it’s great to know that i’m not alone. haha.
Dear Greg, FYI – The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art library featured your current exhibition at KCAC ending 1/16/15 and your participation in the Artists’ File Initiative. Congratulations! See our facebook for Spencerartreferencelibrary. Happy New Year! Thanks, Marilyn