Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Kraft Walker.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was blessed with a wonderfully creative mom who made everything she touched beautiful. That influence coupled with a natural bent toward art set an early foundation. I was involved in art through out my schooling and received a BFA in Art History from the University of Texas at Austin in 1977. However I put art on the back burner while raising our family. When I did start painting, it was in a primitive folk art style. Exposure of my early work provided the opportunity to create a painting to decorate the Blue Room in the White House (which remained in the permanent collection). A Presidential Invitation to attend a reception at the White House that Christmas of 1999 was a thrill.
In 2009, with an empty nest, I had a distinct turning point to began seriously pursuing realist art. I took several workshops from master artists and immersed myself in fine art. Learning to paint is a never ending pursuit of which I have barely scratched the surface.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a realist painter working in oil. Still life and portraiture are my predominate genres although a landscape is on my easel at present. I fell in love with Andrew Wyeth’s still life work when I was very young. The poignant and sensitive quality grabbed my heart. Later in life at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg I was captivated by the Dutch still life painting and decided then that one day I would try to paint a still life.
I collected antiques for many years before I began to paint, not knowing that one day they would work their way into my paintings. Concepts and ideas are always on my mind and I ” shop ” in my house for props. I love setting up a still life and I paint from life. In this noisy and demanding world I hope my paintings reflect a bit of quiet, simple beauty. I’d like them to offer the viewer a pause from the stresses of the uber-busy lives that most of us lead.
I also love painting portraits. There’s a depth of soul and emotion in the effort to capture the essence of a human being. When painting loved ones who are more precious than words, I can’t help but think that the vastness of those emotions show up in the painting. Painting from life is hands down the best way to capture a likeness. However, it’s not always possible to have the subject pose for the length of time required to complete the painting, so I often resort to photos to finish my portrait work.
My work is a response to something that strikes a chord in my heart. I believe there is a spiritual component that underlies my compulsion to paint. For me personally, creating is an act of worship, using the gift God has given in an effort to honor Him.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
I think the opportunities for artists to learn and are easier than ever. Resources are incredibly abundant. Online courses as well as being able to view a plethora of art with a click allows more study than one could accomplish in a lifetime. The flip side of that coin is that because of social media and all the information available online the number of proficient artists is overwhelming. It can be difficult to be noticed and be financially successful.
Voyage Houston and articles like this help to bring awareness to individual artists as well as the broad stroke of artists in general.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I am represented by InSight Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas and Haynes Galleries in Nashville, Tennessee.
Contact Info:
- Website: AnnKraftWalker.com
- Email: AnnKraftWalker@gmail.com
- Instagram: Instagram: @annkraftwalker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annkraftwalker
Image Credit:
White Oak Studio
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