By Estella Lauter

Connie Glowacki was a kindergarten teacher in Janesville until 1971 when she left to become a full-time mom. In 1980 when she wanted to return to teaching, there were no openings, so she took classes in watercolor and discovered a second calling. She became so successful that her husband Mike also left teaching to become her business manager. In 2008, they purchased space in the Top of the Hill Shops for a gallery. In addition to showing her work, Connie offers classes for adults and teaches at The Clearing and The Crossroads at Big Creek.

While many of her watercolors resemble photo realism, others like the one exhibited at the Miller last fall, use negative spaces, texture and unusual perspective to depart from that style. A painting of a Hickey Brothers fishing boat recently won a Juror’s Award at the Hardy Gallery–among the latest in a long history of awards for watercolors. Connie also works in pencil, ink, etching, acrylics and oil.

With her daughter, she has written a book about her career as an artist that includes memoirs and family history. While it is not for sale, visitors to her gallery may see it.

A reception for the artist will be held on Sunday, June 5 from noon to 1:30 pm.