About Gretchen Weitemier
Gretchen Weitemier started Gretty Beth Arts from her interest in using wood and paper for woodblock printmaking, painting, and collage, and wood as a canvas itself for painting, carving, and pyrography (woodburning). Her passion is guided by intuition and a profound sense of gratitude.
Gretchen received her bachelors in Studio Art at Whitman, where she studied with Keiko Hara, graduating with Distinction. Gretchen earned a masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Pacific University. She is guided by the neuroscience of “flow” states and the mindful art-making process she and her students experience.
Gretchen has been Artist in Residence at Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ since 2017. For Gretchen, art is a spiritual practice she brings to others as well. She celebrates the uniqueness in perceptions of people’s varied experiences.
Gretchen's Process
Woodblock Printmaking
Gretchen carves a block of basswood with chisels, inks the block with a roller, presses paper to the block, and transfers the ink to the paper by rubbing the dickens out of it with the back of a spoon.
The magic happens when the fresh, mirror image print is pulled from the block.Â
Collage and Painting
Gretchen frequently collages her own prints onto paper and wood. She also combines printmaking and collage with painting.
Pyrography (Woodburning)
Gretchen makes wood her canvas and paints and carves on a burnt area for a layered effect, or burns as if she were drawing directly onto the wood.
Carved Paintings
Gretchen uses basswood on which she carves and paints.Â
