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"A lover of the coastal landscape., with a soft spot for the urban sublime.
A painter first and printmaker second, exploring moments of beauty, wonder and awe". In the words of Degas - “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” 
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About Me
From a city to the sea
Like the Sting song, I was an English'woman' in New York for many years!
I've been an artist all my life, but I found myself in a career in PR, marketing and design, with the British Government in New York City. As time passed, I yearned to focus on art, and in 2006, I enrolled in an MFA program at the New York Academy of Art.
I never felt more at home and in the flow. The program gave me the instruction, immersion and creative freedom to develop my skills and artistic voice in a supportive arts community.
I've been an artist all my life, but I found myself in a career in PR, marketing and design, with the British Government in New York City. As time passed, I yearned to focus on art, and in 2006, I enrolled in an MFA program at the New York Academy of Art.
I never felt more at home and in the flow. The program gave me the instruction, immersion and creative freedom to develop my skills and artistic voice in a supportive arts community.
Art taught me to be an observer of my inner and outer world, be still, look, listen, feel.
Embrace the process, welcome little accidents. Let go of expectations, and go with the flow.
Embrace the process, welcome little accidents. Let go of expectations, and go with the flow.
It was a fruitful time, bringing with it recognition including Prince of Wales Scholarships, and travel awards to Normandy, France and St Barts, in the French West Indies. Culminating with the school's most prestigious award, a Post-graduate Fellowship. Which afforded me a year long studio space, with a stipend and an exhibition.
While I loved New York city, an opportunity took me to the North Fork, on the East End of Long Island. A place that had been a source of creative inspiration. I spent two wonderful years in the quiet hamlet of Orient, as Artist-in-Residence at the William Steeple Davis House. A perfect time and place to settle into a solid art practice.
It was here that I began painting waves. It's impossible to live by the water and not have it seep into your psyche.
"The rhythm of the waves marks time, like the breath. Moment to moment, it's intensity fluctuates, like emotion.
Thoughts linger and pass, like a veil of fog."
Thoughts linger and pass, like a veil of fog."
On the North Fork I met master printmaker Dan Welden and began assisting him at workshops in some wonderful venues including Haystack School of Crafts, and Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center. This experience helped deepen my printmaking practice. You can watch the process in Inky Business a short intro video.
2011 saw me on the move again, this time hopping across the Sound to the mainland in Mystic, Connecticut. Finally settling in the coastal town of Westerly in the Ocean State of Rhode Island, with my studio cat Winslow.
In December 2022, I opened AiR a studio and gallery with photographer Michael Fanelli in downtown Westerly. AiR is a space that blurs the line between gallery, studio, and something altogether new. Learn more about AiR.
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When a storm is brewing,
and the surf is up. When snow flurries form, and the water's edge freezes. When the fog looms then gently lifts. When sunlight glistens like a sea of jewels. When I catch the Moon rising then reflect on the day, moments of magic, beauty and awe. |
Exhibitions
My work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, in commercial galleries and venues which include: The National Museum of China: The Mall Galleries, London, UK; The Heckscher Museum, NY, Southampton Art Center, NY and The University of Connecticut.
View full Exhibition and Resume
View full Exhibition and Resume
A peek into my creative process
In this short video, you will probably be able to smell the salty air!
A Coastal Creative Practice
At the shore I am reminded to be present. It provides a place for contemplation, inspiration and reflection.
I bring my experiences back into the studio, as I interpret the smells, sounds, feelings, and energy of the elements. The process is fluid, moving between freedom and control, accident and intention, as I push and pull the paint to translate my visual and emotional experiences of a subject in motion.
I bring my experiences back into the studio, as I interpret the smells, sounds, feelings, and energy of the elements. The process is fluid, moving between freedom and control, accident and intention, as I push and pull the paint to translate my visual and emotional experiences of a subject in motion.
You can read more about my creative journey in these recent interviews:
Who Art You Interview - Jan MCCarthy's blog
Streetlight: Annie's work and creative journey
Plein Air painting at Schoodic Point, Acadia National Park,Maine
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Out and About The majority of my work is created in the studio due to the large scale of my painting. I do enjoy painting plein air too, and bring the experience of being out in the elements back into the studio. These images show me painting at Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park from a few years back. Both of the paintings show were done on location. These paintings are available as prints in the shop On Schoodic Point and Acadia Rocks |