Marsha Gregory was my high school art teacher. Since I graduated I have learned that she has also taught as an adjunct in many of the local colleges, including St. Rose. Currently she is working as a full time teacher of advanced art, and is an artist. Although I was very close to her, I didn't see much of her work until I had completed high school. I found out recently that this was because her work is a little too 'racy' for high school standards.

On the home page of her website (marshagregory.com) you can see one of her most famous paintings. It is of her, holding hands with a man, both of them in their underwear. Also present is her dog.

The setting of the paintings is outside in a dark field. The mood is deep and dark and brooding, with one singular tree on the left side looking withered and dead. Both her and the man are undressed. The two characters conflict each other, and yet they are joined by their hands. She is more heavy-set, he is thin. She is white, he is black, and yet they are unified.

This brings up some social issues. I think it speaks in the contrast of the two models. It speaks of racial issues, issues with sexuality and gender and how we as a society perceives things. But, it also deals with humor. Both figures features are exhaggerated. The man is so tall and thin that he looks stretched, while she has made herself shorter and more vuluptuos. The end result is almost cartoonish. This takes those more serious issues that come to mind upon sight of the painting and makes them a little lighter. It's as if she saying 'ok, here are the problems, here are the issues, but let's just laugh about them."

You can see her full portfolio of work on her website (mentioned above). I suggest you check it out (it's super cool =]]]]).