Area Artist and Teacher Enjoys Painting Landscapes of the French Countryside

Shirley Nactrieb is a local artist and teacher who has an enthusiasm for painting vivid landscapes and her current passion includes recreating the colorful scenery of France. 

Nachtrieb has approximately 20 pieces presently on display at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre that were painted in the theme of Provence, which were inspired by her 2005 trip to France. While on her painting trip, she stayed for 10 days in Casis, France and was accompanied by her sister, Sharon, as well as eight other artists.

“Everything was so clear in France, it was really a joy to see the colors,” Nachtrieb said of the country’s landscape.

One trip to France inspired Nachtrieb. 

“In the 10 days I was there I did 15 paintings. My goal was to paint two a day, but once I got involved in a piece I wanted to keep with it,” Nachtrieb said.

Nachtrieb is an experienced and awarded artist and her credentials are impressive and her list of gallery representation is extensive.

She is a graduate of Fontbonne College and has been a freelance artist and teacher for over 30 years. While the painter typically teaches throughout Missouri and southern Illinios, she said she has taught classes as far south as Dallas. She has also taught some workshops in Ohio.

 “I go wherever people want to learn certain techniques,” Nachtrieb said of her travels.

Nachtrieb teaches classes at different locations throughout St. Charles County, including at Lindenwood University and the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre.

The artist said painting runs in her blood. She has relatives on both sides of her family who have painted. Nachtrieb, who has been painting since the age of 7, said her painting mediums include watercolor, pastel, acrylics, mixed media, fiber, and handmade books.

She is a signature member of the Society of Layerists in Multimedia, St. Louis Watercolor Society, the International Society of Experimental Artists, and the Missouri Watercolor Society. She is also a distinguished member of the St. Louis Artist Guild and a juried member of the Best of Missouri Hands.

The Grumbacher Award is prestigious in the art community, as it is given by the Grumbacher painting company. The award includes a prize of up to $200worth of art materials. Over the course of her career, Nachtrieb has been awarded this honor four times.

“Now a lot of other companies are doing it, when artists win prizes in the exhibits, have all major manufacturers donating for art supplies, it’s quite normal now but Grumbacher was the leader doing that,” Nachtrieb said.

Nachtrieb also received honorable mention for her piece "Jill and Pandora" at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre’s last month. 

The award-winning artist said her husband, Earl, has been a boon to her success as an artist and she is thankful to her husband for his support throughout her career.

“All of this is made possible by my husband of nearly 45 years,” Nachtrieb said.

She said before they  married, the couple agreed that Earl would support her getting through college, and he was there for her again later when she decided art was going to be her career and not a hobby. 

Nachtrieb’s gallery representation includes Norton’s Fine Art Gallery in Maplewood,  Framations in St. Charles, and MacCreed’s Art Gallery in Lebanon, MO,  as well as her current pieces on display at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre, which will be on display until Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.  

For more information, the artist may be contacted at shirley@nachtrieb.com or visit her website.