Jeff Garland

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Website

www.dotjpgart.com

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When and where did you study with Dr. Gregor?

Illinois State University (1990-92)

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What was memorable from your time in his classroom?

I would say the most memorable thing about his classroom is that I never left it. Even after I graduated with my Masters in 1994 and took a teaching job in Springfield, I still would visit Dr Gregor every year, sometimes multiple times. I would bring my painting, students and ideas to him and we would sit for hours having coffee in the morning and continuing into lunch (usually with Marlene). These visits helped shape me as a professor, artist and most importantly, as a person. These meaningful discussions continued for 24 years until I moved to Georgia for a job as the Chair of Georgia Southern University in the Fall of 2018. My favorite quote of his was when I had a group of adult students and they brought their Hue Contrast paintings for him to critique. He had his chips of color on hand and placed the precise colors on their works to make them colorful and not full of color. After several pieces, one of the students asked "how do you know what color goes there?". He looked at her and said "I just hold my thumb up and I know". I remember her retort was "oh, I did not know it was that easy". It was not that easy, but Dr. Gregor always had time to guide you on the journey to one day hold your thumb up and know.....I am still on that journey with him as my guide.