Gloria Beth Edwards has lived in the Grass Valley area for almost 40 years. She has been painting since she was 5 years old.

Raised in the Bay Area in an artistic family, Edwards studied in Berkeley, Santa Rosa and Sacramento.

As a child, she would go to museums and spend all day sketching the artwork. She works in all mediums, including sculpture, pottery and oil, and her niche includes painting the outdoors.

South Lake Tahoe's beauty has been a primary inspiration, Edwards said. Her work has been on display in California, Nevada, England and Italy.

Notable people who have her work include the late President Ronald Reagan, Rush Limbaugh, Phyllis Diller and Jackie Coogan.

Former program chairwoman of Pioneer Arts in Grass Valley, Edwards holds a lifetime teaching credential from the state of California. Earlier in her life, she worked as a fashion model and a singer.

“I've taught at the schools. I've been involved in a lot of things,” Edwards said in an interview with The Union. “I'll be in galleries again soon.”

Edwards' latest endeavors include a painting of Gibson, the tallest dog in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, and an upcoming feature in Sierra Heritage magazine. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, outdoor recreational activities, sewing and crocheting.

“I have so many things lined up. I really enjoy working in this town,” Edwards said. “We (she and her late husband Don) just had a wonderful, wonderful life here.”

Visit her Web site at www.gbethfineart.com.

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