February 2007: Updates to the Website and Exciting New Things in Store

My website recently underwent a number of updates, including, most significantly, the creation of this "News and Updates" section. With the addition of this section, I will be able to keep visitors current with what's happening with my art and what to expect next. Be sure to check back here often to see what's new. In the meantime, you can expect more updates and more art to be coming soon!

Winter 2006-2007: "Batik" Finds a New Home

"Batik," another piece from my Senegal series recently found a new home - in Michigan. Here you can see the work hung in its new surroundings.

Fall 2006: "Faces, Places, and Personalities" Solo Art Show

On September 1, 2006, my first solo art show, entitled "Faces, Places, and Personalities," opened at Arts Interface in Springfield, Ohio. Pictured here is me and my husband Mike at the show, in front of some of my work. The show included 13 original pieces, 11 of which were making their first public debut. The show kicked off with a casual opening reception and ran through the end of October, attracting viewers and garnering positive feedback - and even gaining a mention in the Springfield News-Sun newspaper. Furthermore, the venue decided to purchase "Les Yeux Du Bebe" as an addition to their permanent collection.

I included the following artist statement with the show:

"FACES, PLACES, AND PERSONALITIES"

WHAT CAN YOU KNOW ABOUT A SUBJECT FROM A PEICE OF ART? WHAT'S THE POINT OF ART? AND IS IT EVEN VALUABLE? ONE COULD ARGUE THAT ART IS TRIVIAL, POINTLESS EVEN. BUT SOMEONE ONCE SAID THAT "ART TEACHES NOTHING BUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LIFE," AND THAT SEEMS MORE ACCURATE. AFTER ALL, VISUAL ARTS, LIKE LITERARY AND OTHER FORMS OF ART, GIVE US THE EYES TO SEE PEOPLE, PLACES, AND IDEAS BEYOND OUR OWN LIMITED VIEWS -- OR, JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, TO SEE WHAT IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF US FROM A FRESH PERSPECTIVE.
IN THIS SHOW, I HAVE SELECTED A VARIETY OF PIECES IN VARYING MEDIUMS THAT I BELIEVE CAPTURE THIS IDEA. FROM THE SIMPLE EYES OF A PLAYFUL PUP TO THE THOUGHTFUL LOOK OF A "COUNTRY BOY" TO A CLOUDY SUNSET SKY, MY WORK IS MEANT TO GUIDE VIEWERS TO PLACES AND PEOPLE THEY MAY NEVER HAVE SEEN -- OR MAYBE JUST TO MAKE THEM SEE THESE THINGS IN A NEW LIGHT. IN DOING SO, I HOPE TO GIVE VIEWERS AT LEAST A GLIMPSE OF THE "FACES, PLACES, AND PERSONALITIES" THAT ARE THE INSPIRATION BEHIND MY WORK.

The art included in this show is available for your purusal throughout the website. :)

Summer 2006: Eat at Joe's and More

With a little more free time in the Summer of 2006, I create numerous new works of art, while continuing to work on my website and promote my art. I also do some painting at a local restaurant, Joe's U.S. 40 Grille, in Springfield, Ohio. My work there includes some prominent large-scale lettering on a wall near the register. You can see the painted wall in the picture, which was taken at a later date.

June 2006: Anna Michael's Art Website Debuts

The creation of my very own art website at http://annas-art.blogspot.com occurs in June 2006. Lots more updates follow in the months to come.

Fall 2005-Spring 2006: Senior Art Thesis

What began as a yearlong undertaking in the Fall of 2005, culiminated with a Senior Art Thesis show at Wittenberg University (Springfield, Ohio) in the Spring of 2006. I displayed a series of six large-scale drawings capturing my firsthand impressions of the spirit and culture of Senegal and the Senegalese people. Pictured here is me and my dad in front of "Petite Fille." The complete series is available for viewing in the "Senegal Drawings" section, and several photographs from my semester in Senegal are posted in the "Photography" section.