About Gertrude (Catherine) Greco:
Gertrude is a self taught artist, specializing in watercolor, oil, acrylic, mosaic,
and mixed media collage. She is also an avid seamstress & chef. Gertrude's personal history is closely tied to her artwork - resourceful & optimistic. Her use of vibrant colors and pleasant subject matter are a true testament to her life long resilience. Gertrude's talent is awe inspiring. She was born in Sri Lanka, and after several family tragedies, including the political assassinations of her father and grandfather, and after enduring horrible abuse at the hands of her uncle, by the age of six, she was an orphan being raised in a convent. Her life was very hard growing up, and when she aged out at the age of sixteen, she was own her own. She was able to make a living and support herself making and selling greeting cards. She eventually found a job as a chef at the Japanese Embassy in Sri-Lanka. She was even able to purchase her own shop in the lobby of the Embassy. Unfortunately this success was shortened by abuse and theft from a person she trusted in, and eventually lost the shop that she had built.
Fast forward, Gertrude came to America on her own. She is now married with two children. After surviving three auto accidents, living with seizures and constant pain, she has lost the ability to drive and use the computer. Gertrude continues to persevere and create art. The art work is a relief from her pain - each piece is full of joy and optimism. Through Gertrude's combination of mediums, just like in her own life's story, her artwork paints a picture of hope for the future.