Meet Anne Legge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Legge.

Anne, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I come from a large family of artists. At an early age, I knew I too would pursue finding a life that let me stay creative. So following in my brother’s footsteps, I went to Los Angles and got into the animation field. Our second cousin, Robert Balser, had been one of the animating directors on the 1968 film, “The Yellow Submarine,” as well as many other animated shows like the Jackson 5 and Peanuts.

In the eight years, I worked in LA I was an animation colorist for shows like, “The Wild Thornberrys,” “Futurama,” and “The Simpsons.” But I wanted to leave and head to the Southwest to focus more on my fine arts and get married. So I moved to Prescott, AZ and found out I was awarded the Artist Residency for the Grand Canyon North Rim in May of 2005.

My art form is unique, and I couldn’t wait to see how it would be to depict the vast beauty of the Canyon. The residency gave me the freedom to hike around and work on my art while living in the park. I work on wood using wood stains to paint with, so I hiked with pastels and did studies of landscapes I wanted to paint. I then returned to the rim everyday and started transferring my images to the wood I had brought.

The experience was one I will never forget. Upon returning to Prescott, I was able to continue my animation job as a freelance artist and work on my fine arts. I am currently showing in a local gallery here in Prescott, “Arts Prescott Co-operative Gallery” and one in Carefree, “Adelante Art Gallery.” One of the perks of being in a Co-op gallery is I am able to be there on weekends selling the art and talking with customers about my creative process.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Because I created the technique used in my artwork it was a challenge at first to master how to use wood stains as a painting source. I wanted color separation so that details could be defined in my landscapes. However, the stains wanted to travel with the grain in the wood and not follow distinct lines. It took me a while to figure out how I could get the stain to be manipulated the way I wanted.

Another obstacle was the color choices I had with wood stains. 20 years ago when I first started only more traditional natural tones were available in wood stains, but with the introduction of water-based wood stains, a variety of colors came out. Working in a different medium has lead me to feel free to be creative in a way few others may feel, but explanations are commonly needed as viewers aren’t used to seeing this art form.

We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I finished high school in New Orleans, LA where I took in a vast culture of art and music. I think that gave me the insight to create what was truly going to be my own art form. I work on wood surfaces using a wood staining technique that allows the nature grain of the wood to play into the composition and enhance the direction the viewer takes in the work.

At first, my body of work was mostly landscapes, but then I wanted to tell more of a story through my work. I started working inside antique boxes and drawers. I would paint my painting on wood then put it inside the box, adding antique dollhouse furniture to draw the viewer into the scene. I can see my animation background influencing this direction I took.

From there, I was interested in adding more unique textures to the wood surface. I incorporated found objects like rusty metals, broken records, and discarded objects that enhanced the pieces. I also continued to find other items to frame my art in. Post office box doors, crate box tops, and embroidery hoops.

Every piece is one of a kind and has many materials used create it. I commonly hear people comment that they have never seen anything like my work. That is my favorite compliment.

How do you define success?
As an artist, I feel success when I am staying creatively in touch with myself. What that means is the creative ideas are flowing, and I am reaching for my notebook to quickly jot them down to work on when I am next in the studio.

Many people ask me where does your ideas come from? There is no answer to that. I am so happy when I get an inspiring train of ideas that I want to capture. Many of my collectors comment that my work changes so much year to year.

That their earlier pieces don’t look anything like the work, I am turning out now. I love that. I know I could lose some clients by changing styles, but art is ever evolving with me. I listen to where the creativity wants me to go and that keeps me passionate about working.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ahlarts.com
• Email: annelegge@gmail.com

Image Credit:
BCNK photography

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