Getting to Know Artist Anne Hamilton

Art, Your Life, Your Message, Your Thoughts

How do you define yourself as an artist?

Being an artist is what I do Because of this art affects how I relate to people, my family and friends, nature, and to the spiritual
aspects of my life.

What is your message?

My desire is to elevate an awareness of the importance of art in the lives of individuals interested in learning more about art or
becoming artist themselves. I also want to encourage the beginning artists and those who are more advanced to continue
exploring themselves through art and using it as a medium to express who they are and/or what they want to say about their
experiences to society.

Your Bio in four lines:

BFA from Athens College, Athens, Al; studied under Jim Green at Athens College; Michael Crouse at the University of Alabama,
Huntsville, Al, and Paul Stephenson, at Northeast Alabama Community College, Rainsville, Al; Numerous workshops; accomplished
artist in Northeast Alabama Region; Hendrix Gallery representation, Fort Payne; works in private collections. Art instructor for
more than 15 years; including three years at NACC.

For you, what is inspiration?

I am most inspired by the motivation to attempt to create something new. This experience brings me closer to nature and its
creator-God as I know Him. I also like to experiment with different techniques and am excited when this leads me to new ways of
expressing myself through visual art.

What role does technology play in your creative process?

The digital camera and photo software are tools I often use to create different forms of art. I like to use a combination of photos of
my paintings and photos of nature to create new compositions.

What is art?

The purest form of art is the creation of something new. An individual can be an artist in many forms. However, to me, this is
different than the act of creation.

How do you evaluate whether an idea is good or not?

I look at my ideas as being neither good or bad. They are just ideas. Some of them I act upon. Often they result in good work and
at other times they are learning experiences.

When and how did you begin to see yourself as an artist?

I began to think of myself as being an artist as a young child. The spirit was there when I was barely able to climb onto my mother's
lap and beg her to draw for me. The spirit was there when as a young child I saw and experienced nature and beauty. The spirit
was there when I sometimes plunged into despair. The spirit was there when as a young woman I wondered what it would be like
to be an artist. The spirit was there when I began the formal study of art at the age of 44. It was sometimes afterward that I began
to feel and then to act as an artist.

Why do so many artists and creators have such volatile personalities?

Many of the great artists do exhibit these traits, as do great leaders. I think it is because one has to be deeply passionate about
art, about life and what living is about, including the good and bad of it. How should a work of art be evaluated?It is sad that
people have come up with rules by which to judge art. The untrained eye is perhaps the better judge of real art. And whether or
not art stands up to the test of time is always the best evaluator.

Must an artist reinvent him/herself everyday?

That's an unusual question. Maybe it would be more pertinent to ask: Must an artist reinvent his/her art everyday? That is not
what art is. Mature artists develop a unique style that makes their work easily recognizable whatever form their art takes. Most
commercially successful artists appear to repeat similar kinds of works. This must wrench their souls and be very boring. Yet, if
this is their main income source then what choice do they have? This is why it is so wonderful to have a patron/patrons.

Which artists do you admire and how do they influence your work?

J.W. Turner is definitely the landscape artist that I most admire. Many times when I'm painting a landscape I think of him and how
he struggled with finishing a painting. At times he continued to work on his paintings after they were hanging. There are some of
my paintings I keep planning to take down from walls in my house and change. I have learned that this usually ruins the painting
and then I have to paint another on top of the old one. I also like Turner's treatment of light and the colors he used. I have studied
his techniques and often employ them in my own work. Georgia O'Keeffe has also greatly influenced me. I love doing paintings of
flowers when I am able to portray some of what I am feeling about them. I hope my work affects others in this manner. Van Gogh
stands taller to me than any artist. To look at his paintings is to look into the beauty of his soul. Sadly, the world was not kind to
him. I think he was too close to Heaven as to be able to stand it.

Is art necessary?

Since the beginning of mankind there has been some form of art. The historical cave paintings attest to this. At the same time
these paintings were being done, I'm sure there must have been a similar outpouring of art through drum beats and dancing. The
desire to express one's self visually is an innate aspect of the artist's personality. Art meets a need in the souls of man for
outward expressions of emotions.

Does it pain you to let go of a piece you have sold?

It depends. If I have enjoyed the painting long enough and have been able to put it aside for awhile, I don't mind parting with it.
Yet, there are many of my paintings I continue to enjoy year after year and they are like my children. I neither want to sell them or
give them away. I have observed that most of the paintings I sell begin to belong to the people who purchase them long before
they buy them. I enjoy these paintings selling my paintings to special people. And as I get older selling paintings has become less
important. I'm at the point that I want to leave them to my children. They will become more valuable with time and I feel that they
are accumulating equity. I only hope my children will feel this way themselves. I do feel sad when I think about my favorite
paintings being parted at my death.

What advice would you give to those just beginning?

My advice to beginning artists is to work hard and paint with your heart. I'm also a firm believer in learning the basics. However,
there are exceptions to this rule. For example, if I see that an untrained artist has a unique style that would be spoiled by art
lessons and unless they want to learn a different style, I encourage them to become more proficient with what they are already
doing.
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Email Address:
artforthesoul333@yahoo.com

Phone: 256 845 3398