A Special Anniversary

Sometimes you forget to celebrate your own milestones. Which isn’t a solicitation for any kind of sympathy! The following job descriptions all come with so many amazing moments and privileges. But whether as a mom who primarily cheerleads for the kiddos, or a self-employed businesswoman who doesn’t have colleagues that pat you on the back for a great win or as an artist, for whom the creative process is quite independent; sometimes it’s good to take a moment to reflect and celebrate your accomplishments. So I humbly request that you’ll allow me to do so.

See, it’s a rather special anniversary for me this month: it’s been ten years since I released my first series ‘For NZ Sake”.10 years of making art and evolving it into my full time profession.

Crowning Glory (Map of New Zealand, made from collected iconic Crown Lynn vases)

As I’m sure my fellow creatives can relate; I do in a way feel as though I’ve always been an artist. As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been crafting, creating and re-purposing. For some of us, living in our active imaginations and infusing creativity into our daily lives is not a pursuit that disappears with childhood. And whether that’s a personal or professional calling, a hobby or what pays the bills; it’s all valid when it comes to making art. But I’ve chosen a career where play and using my imagination is my livelihood. Although it’s hard work too, I feel fortunate to have built a career around that creativity, where business and passion can successfully coexist.

Although it’s a title and a practice that’s developed over my lifetime, it’s only in the last 10 years that I’ve called myself a practicing artist. Between informal creative pursuits of my youth and this past decade of my career, I trained to be a chef, but that wasn’t for me. I re-trained and worked as a graphic designer but left this career to pursue editorial freelance interior styling, which I enjoyed doing for many years. And as my disciplines moved closer and closer to total artistic mediums, I began to listen to the artistic calling.

Swan Lake

What began the transition was in my last ‘job’ as a stylist. I was always on the hunt for interesting props to enhance my editorial briefs which meant frequenting thrift and vintage shops; a favourite pastime. So while I was getting paid to shop and thrift, I was discovering beautiful objects and beginning to conceptualize how they could be repurposed. Somewhat unconsciously, I was manifesting the idea for my first series.

Tiki Lynn

Whilst prop sourcing in vintage stores I began seeing our historical, iconic and very collectable Crown Lynn ceramics that had been reinterpreted as geographical features of New Zealand. A ceramic Kingfisher perched on its porcelain base became Farewell Spit (a geographical feature of NZ). A ceramic kitsch conch shell jug was instantly recognisable as the Taranaki Cape

The series these ideas lead to ultimately came to be called ‘Crowning Glory’ and it marked the fruition of many months trawling second hand shops in the North and South Islands for the iconic ceramics which, ironically, were produced in Auckland (a suburb of New Lynn, NZ). Now I had my idea and my ceramic collection at hand the challenge was to now put it all together? Crowning Glory was putting together a jigsaw that was never meant to be one!

All these years later, these pieces still provoke feelings of loyalty and love for home, land and country. Maybe more so, that I live so far abroad. I see Crowning Glory as a wonderful documentation and a piece of NZ art history. Especially because something that is New Zealand-made has always been supported by New Zealanders. Maybe it’s because we are at the very bottom of the world, sometimes not even appearing on maps; and that sort of geographical isolation has created a valuable sense of community; in all verticals and especially in creative ones. Something made by New Zealand hands is respected and valued, be it fashion, furniture, interiors or ceramics. Or art of course.

Oh Deer

My first art series ‘FOR NZ SAKE’ of Limited Edition fine art prints, was so well received, I feel I wouldn’t have done anything differently. It still feels like a huge accomplishment and honour to have many New-Zealanders get to enjoy this piece in their homes! And this series definitely laid the foundation for the work that has followed. So my path to professional artist is very much rooted in patriotic, creative beginnings. I feel proud to see how far I’ve come in terms of my own artistic development, but perhaps just as proud to re-examine my beginnings and the works I created exactly ten years ago.

For all of you who are reading this, I’m guessing a few of you are my collectors. So I’d love to take a moment to THANK YOU for your interest, enthusiasm, loyalty, and your continued curiosity in my art journey!

Anna xo