Im so excited to be starting this project. After attending the ABC moment behind the photo workshop Vanessa Milton sent me this awesome link to a blog http://www.52suburbs.com/ that goes through all the suburbs in Sydney and it has really inspired me to seek out those artistic souls on the South Coast and surrounding areas.
Annette Hallett
I have the privilege of having Annie living in our street which is a real blessing. All the the kids in the Durras call her Aunty Annie so when I asked her if she would consider being apart of this project she was very open in sharing her journey.
Interview with Annie
Can you tell me a little about yourself?
I grew up in a little town in Caulfield Victoria and attended a small co-education school when I was ten years old. I was a very happy child and enjoyed school and the opportunities that school provided. Folk dancing, drama and gym where all part of the regular school curriculum which I loved and of which paved the way for me to develop my artistic abilities. One of my favourite teachers Alfred Cohn a beautiful dutchman really took me under his wing and really guided me in my artistic pursuits. When I was just about to finish school in grade 10 my dad decided that he wanted to pull me out of school. I was not ready to leave school neither its nurturing environment. My dad soon after enrolled me in secretary school and from there went on to train to be a travel agent. I then moved on to governing on a sheep station.
All through this time my art teacher kept nurtured me and at 24yrs of age I was married and continued in my artistic pursuits with my husbands support. At 35yrs I went back to technical school and finished grade 12 as well as studied art design. I then went on and completed a dip ed.
What do you find most challenging about being an artist?
The challenge for me personally is to be disciplined. I had talent but I had to make the time to study and practise.
how would you describe your style of art?
I would describe my style as expressionism. I like to paint how I feel about people ,places etc….
Expressionism was a modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order to evoke moods or ideas.[1][2] Expressionist artists sought to express meaning[3] or emotional experience rather than physical reality.- Wikipedia
Tell me about someone you have met on your art journey who had really influenced you?
My lecturer in second year of art school was Fred Williams. Fred Williams is one of Australia’s greatest painters. He created a highly original and distinctive way of seeing the Australian landscape and was passionate about the painting process itself. Fred really influenced me, inspired me and mentored me in all the right directions for my art career.
What is your favourite artist?
Im passionately fond of Kandinsky
What inspires you ?
Not one thing as its usually an environment, music or people in the community that are interesting that inspire me.
If someone was starting ot in art and was interested in taking their art to next level what would be a few things you would suggest?
Find like minded people to inspire you and look for a good mentor.
I hope you have enjoyed and been inspired by Annie she is truly a beautiful woman inside and out its been such a privilege to interview her.
~Kylie