Art has been part of Gregory A. Kurkjian Jr.'s family for generations. His grandfather, Vartan Kurkjian, immigrated from Armenia in 1890 and built a reputation in Michigan as a master furniture maker, celebrated for his intricate marquetry. His father, Gregory A. Kurkjian Sr., was a gifted draftsman whose precise architectural renderings reflected the same dedication to craft. Growing up in Chicago, Gregory inherited not only their artistic ability, but also a deep respect for creating things by hand.

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As a young artist, Gregory attended weekend classes at the Art Institute of Chicago, where his talent earned him a full scholarship to study art. But after living through years of financial hardship, his father believed art was too uncertain a path. Despite Gregory's gifts and aspirations, he was expected to set them aside and pursue a more secure future in mechanical engineering. Gregory attended the Illinois Institute of Technology, carrying his love of art with him even as he built a career as an engineer.

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That passion never faded. Gregory's work earned second place in the City of Chicago Poster Competition, and he later exhibited at the Warrenville and Wheaton Art Fairs while participating in the DuPage Art League.

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Today, Gregory paints primarily in watercolor, drawn to the medium's soft, luminous qualities and its ability to capture the beauty of the natural world. Now a member of the Southern Arizona Arts Guild, he finds endless inspiration in the distinctive landscapes of the Arizona desert and the vibrant arts community of Tucson, where he continues to paint and exhibit his work. Krikor, the Armenian form of Gregory, honors both his heritage and the generations of craftsmen who came before him.