Ann Saunderson: Work, Words, Wisdom

North Country’s Planning Committee is graced by many wonderful working artists. Among them is Ann Saunderson, who has been attending our workshops since 2005 and has served on both the Planning Committee and the Board of Directors.

Ann’s work is often inspired by the natural world, and by man-made adaptations to the natural world. Many of her pieces are filled with beautiful lighting effects, with rich color, and with evocations of her emotional response to the beauty around her. More recently, she has been working on a series called “Disasters” — a dark and disturbing series of images, which she calls “metaphors for the current chaos.”

Last month Ann was featured in an article in the Boston Voyager. (Click the title to read the entire piece.) She talked about her early life, her career as an art teacher, and her approach to getting work done. And near the end of the piece, when asked by the interviewer, she provided words of advice and experience that we would all do well to heed, whether in art or in life.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Courage. I wish I had courage. Even now, it’s so hard for me to get out of my studio and ‘put myself forth’. It’s just not who I am.

If you are just starting out, I think getting gallery representation can be difficult, at least here in New Hampshire. Applying to juried exhibits — especially those with themes that intrigue you — can help to get your work out there and give you a chance to meet with gallery directors. Having a group of artists who will critique your work, keep you posted about shows and exhibit possibilities, tell you to stop whining… and give you a kick in the pants… is a big help. Going to openings, introducing yourself to people in the know, putting work up on social media… it’s exhausting but it helps. Search out a good workshop, something out of your comfort zone. You’ll meet interesting people who’ll give you a different vantage point. Work hard! Make work! Lots of it! Cull what’s bad! Keep going!

“Landscape — Beware the Ides of March” — Ann Saunderson

“City on Fire — Cataclysm” — Ann Saunderson