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Artist: Anne Campbell
Artists » Anne Campbell
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Craft Medium:
Mixed Media
Artist's Statement: Using various found and repurposed objects; I create whimsical creatures, shrines and utilitarian items. I find things at garage sales, estate sales, flea markets and occasionally someone’s garbage. I don’t initially know what I’m going to make, I look in my stash to find a starting place and keep playing with different objects and configurations until I come up with a design that suits me. I use glue and screws for most of the assemblages. I work in a lot of different styles using a wide variety of materials, including wood, old moldings, metal and metal parts. Getting to work using the “big boys” of tools like the drill press, jigsaws, table saws, etc. has been a blast and I still have all of my fingers (so far).
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Artist Works:
Artist Biography:
I have been creative as far back as I can recall whether it was pretending to be a spy in my secret headquarters, the huge mimosa tree in my backyard or drawing and designing my own paper dolls. My search to find the best way to express my spirit in my art has been a fun, exciting, and sometimes exasperating journey. Never truly having a creative outlet growing up in small town Mississippi, it was exciting to attend my first art class at Ole Miss. I received my bachelor’s degree in art, and then proceeded to work various fields not using my artistic talents. It wasn’t until I reached my 40s that I realized I didn’t have to paint like Da Vinci or Michelangelo, I could create whatever made me happy. I have never really believed in the notion of following "the rules". It never seemed to be a creative option for me. I realized that what I want is to really express my art in my own way.
I’m inspired by other artists’ work, including my Dad’s folk art furniture. Seeing what he and other artisans come up with makes me look at every day objects in a different light. I’ve always enjoyed working with tools. As a child I loved Tinker Toys™ and Lincoln Logs ™ and would challenge myself to see what I could come up with outside of the pictures on the box. I’m still thinking “outside the box”. I learned most of my craft by “doing”. The best way to get my attention is to tell me that something "can't be done." Especially as a woman, I find it satisfying to create unique things using what have traditionally been men’s tools of the trade.
My last incarnation was as a gallery owner, it was fun discovering and encouraging new artists. We tried to make our gallery a place for all forms of art not just the serious or fine art. However due to the current state of the economy we had to make the tough decision to close our doors. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world, all of the wonderful people I’ve met and artists I’ve watched grow were worth every penny I spent. I also have a new found appreciation for just how tough it is to sell artwork.
I now have a small studio at the Mississippi Craft Center and work there most days creating my art. Part of the agreement to have space there is to allow people access to the artist at work. I enjoy demonstrating and sharing my craft with other people. It has been so rewarding for me to share with others and to see the joy in their faces when they create or come up with their own one-of-a-kind artwork.
Although it has proved exasperating for my family, experimenting and trying new ways to work in different media keeps me excited and enthusiastic about working as an artist. I don’t ever want to lose that enthusiasm, so I will continue to expand my boundaries and to push the envelope, exploring new things and different art forms.
Email to Anne Campbell
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