Annie Lane: Folk Art at its Finest
By Amie Rodgers
In February, Cedar Ridge featured the work of artist Annie Lane at their monthly art show. Although born in Massachusetts, Annie’s family moved to Tucson when she was only a year old. As hard as it may be to believe given her distinctive style, Annie is a self taught artist who is as ‘down to Earth’ as her work is. "I believe that art is from oneself and should not be directed by anyone's rules or techniques. I have created my own style through my own journey of learning," notes this humble folk artist, "I have been an artist for most of my life. It is how I see life. I have always created art in one form or another. I do not think I could exist without creating and that is what drives me."
Annie’s journey has moved her through what she sees as many different phases. She has worked with oils, acrylics and pastels as well as painted, sculpted and built pieces using abstract materials. Despite her strongly creative instincts, it took a change of scenery and lifestyle to bring her art to the forefront rather than the sideline. "In the year 2000, my husband, son and I decided to jump off a huge cliff and start the next chapter in our lives. We gave up our jobs, sold our businesses and properties and moved from the city to a totally ‘Green’ solar and wind powered home on 40 acres in Snowflake. We did this before ‘Going Green’ was even heard of. It was just a new adventure that we wanted to tackle," explains Annie, "We immersed ourselves in the farm life, self-sustained living and my dream of being a professional artist. For the next six years, we owned a shop where we sold antiques and different forms of my artwork. Finding my new love of painting and Folk Art, we closed the shop to allow me to focus fully on my paintings without distraction. In my work, you can see how the antiques have contributed to my art."
Annie’s work consists of a Whimsical, Country Farmhouse and often Sophisticated Style where she puts a lot of emphasis on color and design. She works with acrylic paints and has created and mixed her own unique color bases which are very warm, strong and have become the signature of her work. "The subjects that I find interest in are close up and intimate views whether it is a single tree or an intriguing piece of an architectural element such as an aged iron gate. I find great interest, feeling and strength in a very simple view rather than in complexity. This is another element that makes my work stand out," explains Annie, "My subjects are usually of Nature and of Architecture and Design. I only paint on wood. I feel that the use of wood for my canvases adds a very natural and substantial element to my work."
The stunning simplicity and ‘cottage comfort’ appeal of Annie’s work lends itself well to home décor. Needless to say, it is easy to picture her work in various rooms of your home. As a result, Annie’s art has enjoyed a high rate of sales online. "I have been selling my work online for about two years. The internet has allowed my work to travel to new homes across the country and to far away corners of the world. The completion of each painting to me is not necessarily when the last brush stroke is made, but at the point where it really touches someone, whether it is the collector or just the viewer. I feel very fortunate that I am able fulfill my true love in life through my art."
To see more of Annie’s work, visit her online gallery, Annie Lane Folk Art at www.yessy.com/annielane. You can also contact her agent Leo Valenzuela at 928-242-8839 or visit his website at www.geocities.com/concept4@rocketmail.com. Be sure not to miss the next Cedar Ridge art show held on the last Friday of the month at 6 pm. For more information, contact Linda Cedarblade at 928-242-5074.
Annie’s journey has moved her through what she sees as many different phases. She has worked with oils, acrylics and pastels as well as painted, sculpted and built pieces using abstract materials. Despite her strongly creative instincts, it took a change of scenery and lifestyle to bring her art to the forefront rather than the sideline. "In the year 2000, my husband, son and I decided to jump off a huge cliff and start the next chapter in our lives. We gave up our jobs, sold our businesses and properties and moved from the city to a totally ‘Green’ solar and wind powered home on 40 acres in Snowflake. We did this before ‘Going Green’ was even heard of. It was just a new adventure that we wanted to tackle," explains Annie, "We immersed ourselves in the farm life, self-sustained living and my dream of being a professional artist. For the next six years, we owned a shop where we sold antiques and different forms of my artwork. Finding my new love of painting and Folk Art, we closed the shop to allow me to focus fully on my paintings without distraction. In my work, you can see how the antiques have contributed to my art."
Annie’s work consists of a Whimsical, Country Farmhouse and often Sophisticated Style where she puts a lot of emphasis on color and design. She works with acrylic paints and has created and mixed her own unique color bases which are very warm, strong and have become the signature of her work. "The subjects that I find interest in are close up and intimate views whether it is a single tree or an intriguing piece of an architectural element such as an aged iron gate. I find great interest, feeling and strength in a very simple view rather than in complexity. This is another element that makes my work stand out," explains Annie, "My subjects are usually of Nature and of Architecture and Design. I only paint on wood. I feel that the use of wood for my canvases adds a very natural and substantial element to my work."
The stunning simplicity and ‘cottage comfort’ appeal of Annie’s work lends itself well to home décor. Needless to say, it is easy to picture her work in various rooms of your home. As a result, Annie’s art has enjoyed a high rate of sales online. "I have been selling my work online for about two years. The internet has allowed my work to travel to new homes across the country and to far away corners of the world. The completion of each painting to me is not necessarily when the last brush stroke is made, but at the point where it really touches someone, whether it is the collector or just the viewer. I feel very fortunate that I am able fulfill my true love in life through my art."
To see more of Annie’s work, visit her online gallery, Annie Lane Folk Art at www.yessy.com/annielane. You can also contact her agent Leo Valenzuela at 928-242-8839 or visit his website at www.geocities.com/concept4@rocketmail.com. Be sure not to miss the next Cedar Ridge art show held on the last Friday of the month at 6 pm. For more information, contact Linda Cedarblade at 928-242-5074.
Click Below for link to my Full Gallery and Shop
No comments:
Post a Comment