When I was a child and while I was in school, I was not one of those children who exhibited a natural talent for drawing, and I didn’t paint. I frequently drew horses because I was one of those horse-crazy girls. I lived in a spectacular setting in northern California so I was surrounded by natural beauty which I deeply appreciated. The first person who introduced me to art was my father. Although he was not an educated man, he loved San Francisco and we would frequently visit the “city.” Those visits almost always included the de Young Museum and the Japanese Tea Gardens. He knew nothing of art, but we would stroll down the corridors of the museum just taking in the beauty and mystery. We never spoke of what we saw there.
Following a French Obsession
Over the years I was seduced by paintings, galleries and art books. Art always intrigued me, but it was not until 2000 while following a French obsession, that I decided to take a painting class in southwestern France. I fell in love as soon as my brush dipped into the paint. Painting then became a consuming passion.
I ran across an article in Fortune magazine (July 22, 2013) by Michael Moritz titled “Why I Paint.” I appreciate his take on painting. He said, “Painting makes you look at things more intently and best of all, conjures up a time and memory far better than a photograph or postcard. If you look at a painting you made, you will remember the time, the place, weather, the people you were with and the mood of the moment.”
Chicago
In 2011 I spent the summer painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). I had a wonderful time painting with a sister-friend Dr. Gail Suttelle. We painted about 6 hours a day and then attended a critique class. I loved the entire summer including my apartment near Grant Park which had a view of the lake, river and skyscrapers.
Chicago Lakeside, acrylic on canvas, 21×26. ©2011, Ann Hart Marquis
Chicago River, acrylic on canvas, 21×26. ©2011, Ann Hart Marquis
While you were at SAIC, did you have the good fortune to meet Michiko Itatani? She is a most extraordinary soul, artist and teacher. Ann, I am enjoying your blog as well as your works of art and appreciate your posting it on ArtBiz site created by Alyson B. Stanfield.
Hi Ann. I did not meet Michiko Itatani, but people spoke of her with affection. Thank you for your comments about my blog and art and thank you for encouraging me to post on an ArtBiz page. I wasn’t sure if people would find it pretentious, but I we are trying to “play big” right? I particularly want group members to read about artist that I find important.
Pretentious. That would be a good post. I love your phrase- “Generosity of spirit keeps pretentiousness at bay.” You must be a wise woman.
Pretentious. Now there is a word that might be worthy of an entire blot/newsletter entry. I understand the worry well. Clearly, however, you share the lime light and focus on others as well as your own work. Generosity of spirit keeps pretentiousness at bay.