Pharmacist turned oil painter, #LUnavigator GLORIA CHOW is creating some amazing portraits of the people and pets in her world!

@gloria.chow retired from her career in pharmacy last year to invest in her lifelong love of drawing and art. Her pieces have been featured in the “Best of Worldwide Landscapes Artists” publication and won various awards and competitions including Best in Oil in the People’s Portrait Prize in her home city of Calgary, AB.

In the LU community, Gloria is facilitating Mark Heine‘s emerging artist group and Joseph Lorusso’s professional artist group.
“You get to work closely with these masters and talk to them face to face, some of whom have been my idols for a long time. It’s amazing.”

When Gloria isn’t painting, she teaches the art skills she wishes had been available when she was young. Starting with volunteering to teach watercolours at local nursing homes, she now teaches at community centres and out of her home to teenagers and adults alike.

“When I first started painting, I knew nothing, and there were no resources at the time. It took me a super long time to learn through trial and error. I wouldn’t say I wasted so much time to get here because everything helps you build up to where you are, but I could have been a lot better sooner. So that’s why I just love to share what I know!”