Day 48/100: Vicki McGrath
Encouraging a Self-Taught Artist Who Inspires Me with her Generous Spirit & Captivating Artwork
Today, for my 100 Days of Encouragement project, I’m celebrating the work of Vicki McGrath — a Chicago-based artist who has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to me with her generous feedback and captivating artwork.
Vicki is a self-taught artist who has been passionate about painting since she was a child. Ever since she first picked up a crayon, art has been one of the most significant ways that she has expressed herself. As a shy child, she spent many hours alone with her sketchbook. And after one of her drawings won a blue ribbon in first grade, she was hooked!
In adulthood, Vicki’s early painting career focused on murals and children’s art. Today she is largely a fine arts painter who has a special love for gouache and watercolors, though she is equally adept at working with acrylics and oils.
She combines her obsession with color with her love of animals, people, flowers and architecture to create artwork that she hopes will bring a smile of delight to viewers and brighten their home environments.
She does the occasional figurative painting or landscape, but she considers herself to be primarily a still-life artist. She loves showing the beauty of the everyday items we're surrounded by — flowers, fruits, animals & knickknacks. Her boldly rendered paintings seek to capture moments in time and evoke treasured memories. By memorializing the ordinary, she hopes to grow our appreciation for the items that make up the museums of our daily lives.
Currently, Vicki is part of a beautiful initiative on Instagram. Along with artists @pronouncedtyt and @bekahpaints, she hosts a free, global hashtag challenge called #plantpaintchallenge. Yesterday marked week 51 of these talented artists releasing a plant-related reference photo on Instagram.
They invite anyone to paint a version of that reference image (any style or medium) and post the results on Instagram, using the hashtag and tags for the three host creatives. Follow the hashtag to see over 1,000 posts from artists around the world who are finding inspiration and encouragement through this project.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Vicki is married to her college sweetheart, Dave. She’s also an empty-nester mother to a daughter and son, both busy college students. She loves music, books and fitness and admits to a love/hate relationship with running.
How You Can Be an Encouragement
Please check out Vicki’s work on Instagram, follow her, and send her some encouragement today by commenting on one of her posts or sending her a direct message.
Instagram: @vickimcgrathart
Vicki’s Daily Paintworks Website
Vicki’s Etsy Shop
