Texas
Ann Kraft Walker, Bittersweet Shadows, oil, 20 x 30.
What inspired your winning entry? I was inspired by the beauty of the varied shapes and forms of the pitchers. I think each one is lovely on its own and even more lovely juxtaposed with the others. Most of them belonged to my mother, and so on a deeper level, the sentimental facet was motivation to paint them. And I love bittersweet. I love the color and the wonderful shapes of the vines. It doesn’t grow in Texas where I live, but a friend had some sent to me from Ohio. I knew the bittersweet would be pretty arranged in the pitcher, but I was even more taken by the shadow shapes. The white pitchers contrasted nicely on top of one of my favorite antique blanket chests.
What are you trying to convey to the viewer in this piece and in your work in general? This world is often chaotic and noisy with a zillion things clamoring for our attention, to the point of being overwhelming. I love simple beauty in common objects, and I hope to create works that are quietly lovely and peaceful.
What artists, living or deceased, have influenced your work? Casey Baugh and Michael Klein are two artists who have impacted me greatly. The work of Jacob Collins slays my soul.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be? A chef.
What are your pet peeves? Tangled coat hangers and traffic.
What galleries represent your work? InSight Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX; Haynes Galleries, Nashville, TN.
Featured in the December 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
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