Gary Springer

Gary Jon Springer (born December 1, 1963) is an American painter born in Brooklyn, New York, and currently has work displayed throughout the world. Springer spent his early years in Long Island, New York, before moving to Austin, Texas, to go to college. Most of his family has been involved in the fields of education and counseling. Springer’s earliest memories of art revolve around his aunt, Ray Clott, who taught him to draw cartoon characters with pen and ink.
==Background==
Since childhood, Springer has been interested in drawing, painting, and crafts. He remembers being reprimanded in elementary school for daydreaming and doodling in his notebook. He was always fascinated by nature and would spend a lot of time staring at objects, noticing their colors and shades. He states that his most fulfilling moments were during his free time spent drawing, painting, and crafting. Although he started college as a computer science major, his favorite elective classes were painting and photography. He loved having the time to spend painting with his classmates while listening to music on his Sony Walkman.
Even though his family and friends loved his artwork and saw his natural talent, they discouraged him from seeking a career in the arts - telling him, “He would never make a living doing that.” He remembers visiting an art market as a child, where he spoke to the local artists, who convinced him that this wasn’t the lifestyle that he desired.
After spending a year in New Haven, Connecticut, working as a programmer at an educational software company, CompuTeach, Springer began working as a student advisor at the University of Texas which inspired him to further his education.
Springer studied Art History at the University of Texas at Austin and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1987. He also holds two master's degrees, one in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin and the other in Human Services from St. Edward's University in Austin. Springer holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Northcentral University and continues to work part-time as a licensed counselor and online professor for several universities. After retirement, he finally had the chance to again pursue his first passion: art.
==Artwork==
Gary Springer’s artwork is composed predominantly of architectural landscapes, portraits, and animals. His paintings are frequently based on photographs taken by himself, professional photographers, friends, and family. Springer often uses multiple photographs to help him capture any details he may have missed when creating a painting. Additionally, he prefers to retain photographic flaws to make the painting appear more authentic.
A few of his most popular works include “A Day at the San Marcos River," “Snow in Central Park,” and “Portrait of Don Bachardy.” Don Bachardy, a portrait artist in Santa Monica, California, has painted Springer’s portrait multiple times and has been an important inspiration for Springer’s pursuit of art.
Springer is a member of the San Marcos Art League and frequently has his work exhibited at the Price Center and The Walker's Gallery in San Marcos, Texas, as well as the Neill-Cochran Museum in Austin, Texas. As of this writing, Springer has created over 200 original paintings. His FineArtAmerica webpage has received more than 22,000 visitors, and his artwork has been sold worldwide, including in Australia, Great Britain, Israel, France, and Canada.
==Quotes==
"Photographs can help the artist find details that many painters would ordinarily leave out. When painting from photography, I find that keeping imperfections found in the original images actually makes my paintings look more authentic. People, pets, and places are my favorite subjects.”
==References==
==External links==
* Official website
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Category:1963 births
Category:Living people
Category:American people
Category:American painters
Category:American artists
Category:American educators
Category:University of Texas alumni