Gretka Domer

A FEW THINGS ABOUT THE ARTIST

1. What do you do when you’re not making art? (Day job etc...).

I’m a substitute teacher in Grand Rapids Public Schools; working with preschool children; I care for my mini farm.

2. Why do you make art?

I make art because I always have. Why stop now? My mind is full of ideas and they want to get out. My hands like to explore so I let them.

3. What inspires you?

Humanity. Nature. Chickens.

4. What/who are your influences?

I read the life of Michelangelo in high school; The Agony and the Ecstasy. Michigan artist Armand Merizon inspires me. Michigan Public Radio inspires me. Native Michigan Culture inspires me. An early influence was Kaethe Kollwitz. Later; Mathias Gruenewald. Type Design of Rudolf Koch. Then Carl Larson. Vincent Van Gogh of course, especially the recent film; Loving Vincent. Brilliant illustrators like NC Wyeth, Robert Mcklosky and Gijsbert Vanfrankenhuisen.

5. If you could meet anyone dead or alive who would it be?

I’d like to meet the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Dalai Lama.