Many years ago, an art instructor stated, "The artist's job is to be witness to their time in history." In Cave Creek, Arizona, artist Charlotte Loetz is recording the everyday events that make up the story of our lives. Loetz was born in Wauseon, Ohio. She reports, "I always loved to draw, especially people. I attended a county school in Ohio where the art teacher would come by once a month to give art lessons to the class, but that wasn't enough for me. I am fortunate my parents encouraged my creativity." Loetz got her chance to take art classes when she enrolled in Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. She minored in art education and majored in French and Spanish. Soon after graduation Loetz took a job teaching junior high school art for five years before moving to the high school level as a foreign language instructor.
During her teaching years, Loetz took time away from the classroom to raise five children as a stay-at-home Mom. There was little time with family activities for her painting, so that aside. Once the children were at an age they didn't need as much of her attention, she returned to teaching, retiring in 2008. With time to commit to acrylic and oil painting, Loetz joined the Black Swamp Art Guild in Bryan, Ohio, where she met Nora Sallows, who soon became her mentor. Not long after meeting Sallows, Loetz decided to drop the acrylics and focus on oils as her painting medium. Sallows also introduced Loetz to Plein air painting which she grew to love. It wasn't long before the opportunities to show with the Black Swamp Art Guild in Bryan, the Black Swamp Arts League in Archbold, Ohio. Finally, Loetz was offered a one-woman show in Napoleon, Ohio, at The Armory. During this time, she was also a member of the Toledo Artists' Club, exhibiting in their annual portrait show for several years, earning many Honorable Mentions.
"The artist's job is to be witness to their time in history."
In Arizona, Loetz joined the Sonoran Arts League, exhibiting in various events sponsored by the League and participates with the Desert Foothills Land Trust for fund-raising art exhibits. Loetz attended workshops with the Scottsdale Artists' School in Scottsdale to refresh her skill-set, where she enjoys their Open Studio opportunities to draw and paint from live models. She has also attended workshops at Ciolem Gallery in Carefree. Loetz typically paints from photographs in her home studio in Cave Creek but avails herself of the opportunity to venture into nature to Plein air paint wherever possible. She enjoys the challenge of capturing the desert's changing tones and shadows in a transitioning light environment.
Email: char.loetz@gmail.com
