2013 Artists Series: Anne Harwell

Introducing Anne Harwell, a most talented artist and author of the blog Annechovie 

Please enjoy our conversation below and some of Anne's works of art!

1) Anne, tell us about your beginnings and the pursuit of an art career.

I have always been artsy and crafty since preschool, but I never grew up with any sense or goal of being an "artist" per se. I honestly kind of just fell into it in my 20's after finding I liked working in watercolors on boring Winter evenings. Things slowly evolved from there and I started selling my work in a home & antiques shop my parents used to own in Atlanta. The rest is history but involves a whole lot of work, ups and downs and some great opportunities and many disappointments I had to push through.

One of Anne's most popular prints, The Courtney Barnes Chair

2) Did you have encouragement from a mentor, or are there certain artist’s works that you admire?

    To be honest, I have admired other artists, namely Monet, Matisse, Bonnard, Mark Hampton and others but have not had a formal "art education" so to speak. I don't use any specific technique other than what just feels right to me. I would make a horrible art teacher because I do not have an exhaustive knowledge of art history or technique. The Nike motto applies to me when painting and sums up the way I work - "Just Do It".

Chanel #5 

      3) You do have a very distinctive style. How did your genre come about and    would you tell our readers about your methodology

      I don't use any specific technique other than what just feels right to me. I would make a horrible art teacher because I do not have an exhaustive knowledge of art history or technique. The Nike motto applies to me when painting and sums up the way I work - "Just Do It". I probably lean more towards saturated, clear colors and am not all that attracted to muted tones. Several people have told me that my colors are "happy" and I am glad that's what comes across.

Worcester Porcelain Jar

    There's so much darkness and heaviness in this world and even though life is not always upbeat, I am an optimist and prefer to focus on the positive. Honestly, I am one of those people who doesn't have a staid regimen and doesn't do anything by the book. I just implement the "LOOK LONG AND CLOSELY AND ABSORB" method. LOL. Anything that has developed with me came by digesting tons of paintings, magazines, books, etc. and then working by trial and error to paint what was in my head. I started out with watercolor and have found myself moving more towards acrylic and even oils now. 

     I am a work in progress and have a looong way to go, but I have learned to enjoy the journey. I am a firm believer that God gifts us with all and any talents that we have and my personal relationship with Him is a tremendous source of inspiration and motivation that has helped me to grow and develop more than anything else.

Ginger Jar #2

      4)  Do you work in a studio or do you have a dedicated area in your home? (if you have a studio could you send an image?)

I    I work in a studio area that is part of my home now. I am moving into a new home with my husband in 2 weeks, so will have a completely dedicated room to work from where I can just shut the doors on my art mess and leave it undisturbed.

Peonies and Paisley

5) You must have a fine print-maker (I have several of your chair series prints) How does an artist find one where you can be sure of good quality control?

II    I now print most all of my own work and carefully researched printers, ink and paper before I found what worked best for me and produced the highest quality print. I am happy with my method now because so many of my customers tell me that the prints look exactly like an original.

Chairs Series Notecards

Ginger Jar Pillow

6) When did the light bulb go on so brightly to start licensing your art and are you pleased with the results?

    Actually, I was blessed to be approached by a company for my first licensing contract and didn't do the initial chasing, although I continue to seek out great opportunities now for licensing more of my work.

Hermes Bag

    

     7) What is the best way for our readers to reach you with any inquiries

      They can contact me via a convo on my Etsy page or email me direct at: anneharwell@hotmail.com

      Other Links for Anne are:

      Etsy store: www.annechovie.etsy.com  

      Blog: www.annechovie.blogspot.com

      instagram: http://instagram.com/anneharwell

FB :https://www.facebook.com/anne.chovie.98 

Anne does Custom work, simply send her an inquiry; also custom pet silhouettes on Canvas

Custom Pet Silhouettes

      8) Lastly, Anne, What words of advice do you have for the beginning artist of any age?

Follow your natural bent and passion, don't shy away from hard work and don't give up when there's not immediate gratification or open doors!

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Anne, Thank you so much for participating in The 2013 Artists Series.

I love the Pop-Art quality to your work, although I know you do very traditional renderings as well. 

Wishing you and your new husband much happiness and a bright future together!

Dear Readers, Thank you for supporting the arts and please leave a comment for Anne!

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Images Courtesy of Anne Harwell

Featuring Fresco Artist Joy Baer 2013 Artists Series

I would like to introduce you to the gifted artist, Joy Baer.

Her work is wondrous and her use of Old World Techniques is done exquisitely.

Please enjoy our conversation and some of her works of art!

Wall panel detail "Eternal" fresco with bronze minerals

 1) and 2)    Joy, I have loved seeing your enthusiasm and coverage on the Kansas City Art Scene; even though you have frescoes all over the world. What sparked your interest in creating works of art and when?

When I was a child, I was inspired by an article on Pompeii , Italy in a National Geographic Magazine. The frescoes' message transcend time with themes of family, commerce and great food. Today there is a loneliness in modern day communication. A fresco message has an earth-made sense of camaraderie and community. There is a sociality about a storytelling fresco. My goal is to bring this power of storytelling frescoes into businesses, public spaces and homes worldwide.

"Church Wall, Salute" plaster fresco detail

3)    Were there other mediums you worked in before the art of  Frescoes?

 Other mediums, yes! "Fresco" is Italian for "fresh." The process is created using fresh earth minerals, water and plaster. This process can also be created on stone, slate, cave walls, canvas, bisque ceramic - any porous surface. A chemical bond occurs, which can endure for centuries. There is a natural, intuitive instinct in painting the fresco process, and a feeling of permanence. Where old world meets new, I scan frescoes and send them into other venues of communication on line. A recent show "Storytelling Paper Outfits" used earth minerals and fresh inks on hand-made fiber paper to convey their stories. Currently I'm working on a fresco robotic display for an upcoming gallery show that will express this concept of timelessness.

Earth minerals, pigments and inks on hand-made paper fibers

"Home: Dorothy Gale" in the Colombian Foundation Museum

 4)    Have you traveled extensively to see examples of frescoes and their history? How did that inspire you? Have particular artists inspired your works?

 

The fresco process is found in every culture throughout history. The earth creates an endless and sustainable gift of art supplies. 

Earth Minerals

Teaching a fresco workshop in Pompeii, Italy inspired me for eternity. A future fresco workshop is planned in Hong Kong. There is no limit for this inspiration. I am inspired by all fellow artists, both ancient and current.

"Purple Rain" fresco casein on Canvas

 5)    Tell us about your work for Hallmark Cards Headquarters.

My work background includes being an art director for ad agencies and a creative product designer for Hallmark. I love communication in all forms, in all cultures, throughout history. I was inspired working with people from around the world, especially the computer geniuses. These jobs were wonderful, but I held a longing for authenticity in a world filled with increasing non-personal messages. From my research, a fresco can be defined as having an ancient spiritual quality and association, with a message that is endless. I was ready to begin painting frescoes. My family jokes that it took me 45 years to create my first fresco. Today, I paint quickly and with gusto.

6)    Where some of your art installations; and what are you currently working on? I hear it is quite exciting.

 

In the studio, at any given time, I work on a variety of fresco projects. I am honored to have frescoes in museums and pubic spaces, and to keep me humble, my sister displays my fresco above her bathtub. My frescoes are also in bathrooms around the world, and I am happy with this. Today I am in the planning stages for a fresco project in Washington D.C. .

Outdoor Fresco Studio, Joy Baer

7)    Where can our readers see your art whether online or in galleries, public spaces etc?

www.joybaerfrescoes.com gives a current list of where to find frescoes in public spaces. Each month I promote a fresco to charity, with an attempt to give back to our community. Facebook will show what is being created in the studio each week, and I also use LinkedIn for ongoing and future fresco projects. My work is represented by the Todd Weiner East Gallery, 1817 Grand, KC MO. Worldwide, I am represented by Bridgeman Art in London .

Detail Plaster Fresco tabletop 3 x 2 ft x 1.5" deep

8)    Finally what advice do you have for the aspiring artist of any age or place in their career?

While painting a fresco, there is an interval where everything is coming together. This is carbonation, a chemical bonding, but something far more profound is occurring. I describe it best as a jubilee. A leisure. It's the mystery of the creative process. There is a spontaneity in painting a fresco, combined with a sense of eternal permanence. When I'm painting, I feel buoyant, as though I coexist with time. I encourage all artists to strive for this unhurried, natural and gentle countenance. It took years of faith to get here and I shifted from artist angst to artist faith. My goal is that each fresco will march with a message of inspiration and hope. I have a complete trust in the creative process.

"Heaven" plaster fresco, Ralph Foster Museum

Joy, thank you so much for your intuitive and poignant thoughts on the artistic process and an artists' life!

Dear Friends and Followers. I hope you have enjoyed this feature and please do leave a comment on Joy's works of art! I truly appreciate your support of the Art's

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena