Delbert Gish Works

Delbert Gish lives in the Spokane, Washington area with his wife, Marjorie, and continues to paint the landscapes of the area, still lifes from his garden, and figurative works of those who come into his life.  His masterful works are represented in various galleries, museums, and collections. 

Del Gish grew up in rural Oklahoma and later in Idaho where his father and mother were professors of Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho.  When Gish was a teenager, the family moved to Kansas City, Missouri.  His mother, Carol Gish, painted oil landscapes as a pastime, and it was she who introduced her son, Del, to watercolors. 

Despite his love of art, Gish pursued a bachelor’s degree in philosophy.  While still in college, he met and married Marjorie Graves, and they started a family.  In his free time, he took workshops and studied with many artists, including renowned artist and author, David Leffel, who paints in the classic tradition of the early Dutch and Flemish painters and Russian master painter, Sergei Bongart. 

Artist’s Statement:  “I am a realist.  In all of my paintings an effort has been made to record some observable truth.  Color, form and light effects are all considered.  These objective qualities are balanced by attitudes and thoughts that are unique to each artist.  Selection of subject reveals a lot about the artist.  The effort to paint is an uncertain endeavor and in every painting there is an element of mystery.”

Delbert Gish has won many awards throughout his career including the American Watercolor Society “Dresser Memorial Award” in 2007, the Anacortes Arts Festival “People’s Choice Award and Judge’s Award” in 2005, and the American Watercolor Society “High Winds Award” in 2000.