The Vault: Anne May - Familar Facades

ANNE MAY BIO -

“What is printmaking?,” Anne asked a professor at TCC’s Visual Arts Center. With the answer she found a surprising love of a medium that she hadn’t expected! She began work as a biologist but along the way was captivated by the world of art, discovering a passion for printmaking. Since graduating from Old Dominion University in 2003 with a BA in Fine Art, she has been creating linocuts and etchings, intrigued by the bold, mysterious, and surprising qualities that come from using printmaking techniques.

Sometimes she will make a bold and colorful linocut print and other times a soft mysterious etching, as seen in her historical building series. Her interests come from her love of the natural world of plants and animals as well as an interest in architecture, inspired by her visits to gardens and other natural areas and travels to Europe and around the country. Her occasional fun with black and white linocut portraits are inspired by Picasso’s Cubist style.
Anne is a resident of Virginia Beach and has participated in many exhibitions and juried shows throughout the area. Her studio is located at Working Artists Studios, 400 West Olney Road in Norfolk.

ARTIST STATEMENT FOR FAMILIAR FACADES -

Every city has stories to tell and they are told in a number of different ways. Each site in my Norfolk series has an intriguing story and a unique facade that I enjoyed drawing. Fine details in each subject that I didn’t see at first surprised me. I found distinctive architecture and textures, creating uniqueness and charm, reminding me of the role they play in making the city what it is today.

To capture the essence of each, I used a printmaking technique called solarplate etching. A drawing is made with a special pencil on a thick piece of glass which is then exposed on a light sensitive plate using UV light. The plate is then inked and a print made using an etching press. The final result has an individual and mysterious look that I find fits an historical series well.

This work began as as interest in the architecture of historic Norfolk theaters. Having danced onstage at Chrysler Hall, I could easily imagine audience engagements in lively performances, memories made and theaters becoming an important part of the community. Thus began a curiosity in each theater’s history. The Wells Theatre is not only a fine example of Beaux-Arts neoclassicism but it has a truly varied and fascinating history since it’s opening in 1913. From there it grew into an interest in drawing many other subjects that make Norfolk unique. There are the memorials in the Elwood Cemetery that incorporate Victorian funerary iconography as well as many interesting architectural features. The Norfolk Sailor memorial statue represents the men and women who have served in the military, a large and important part of the city’s history.

It’s been a satisfying journey exploring Norfolk’s special places, those I’ve visited and those I just see from a distance. I’ve noticed details and been nostalgic, all while using my favorite art techniques of drawing and printmaking.

www.annemayart.com