My work celebrates the natural world and its interactions with human influence. I gain inspiration from hikes in the mountains and time by the ocean. I translate my physical encounters with the land and water through journaling, matter painting and ceramics. The duality of what occurs naturally and what has been carved into by our hands is a valuable part of my process.
I often incorporate natural elements onto my surfaces through rubbing, pressing and scattering. These beginnings are modified using a variety of artificial and natually occuring materials. The final product is a textually rich surface covered in contrasting dull and brilliant marks.
In an effort to be a more proficient ceramics teacher, I recently took a class at our local studio and consequently my connection to the process that is pottery has been reignited. Ceramics encapsulates the artist with nature paradox perfectly. The basic elements are so natural, yet shaped and stretched by the body. Seemingly simple and natural, the end product is a refined, re-worked struggle that has survived several disasters.
My paintings and sculptures of wild colorful animals are a spirit-lifting practice meant to bring joy to the viewer. I love studying creatures from insects to musk ox and re-creating them with personality and spark!
This is a blog from my MFA studies: http://annajwidman.wordpress.com
