Images attract me. Every since I was
young my mother allowed me to walk home from elementary school. Following the
path to my house, I wandered through my whole neighborhood. House after house,
I peered into people's windows to see what they cooked, what they were doing
and how they talked to each other. When it came time to study, I drew. Images
of what I had seen throughout the day materialized and danced in my mind in front
of my textbooks. I captured the people and the scenery and illustrated them
like storybooks.
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| From Within, Mixed Media on Wood, 25 x 33 |
My drawings surprised my parents and my
peers. I received praise for my illustrations, and I wanted to be an artist
every since then.
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| Today and Yesterday, Acrylic, 96 x 60 |
In 1981, I had a chance to escape the
Vietnamese Communist Party. After finding refuge in Malaysia and Philippines
for a year, I settled down in Southern California. Living through many
countries has given me more chances to observe the uniqueness in each culture.
These experiences continue enrich my art.
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| Angel, Mixed Media, 24 x 48 x 3 |
While studying for my Bachelor's degree
in Fine Art, all the internationally acclaimed artists in the art history
classes thrilled me. However, I didn't want to stay under those big guys'
shadow so I looked for a way out to be myself. This passion sparked my immigrant
theme.
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| Bubbles in the Ocean, Mixed Media, 30 x 40 |
I love to paint and sculpt. After
graduating and receiving my MFA from Cal State University Fullerton, I no
longer had a facility to create 3D artwork so I transitioned to integrating 2D
and 3D components into my paintings in my small, home studio. I found my path in
mixed media painting and have loved it every since.
 |
| After Party, Mixed Media |
When I sit in front of a blank canvas, my
emotions flow in intuitively. Images of my past from Vietnam to America, cascade
through my consciousness while my hands paint. Layers of old images are buried
under the new memories, like new pages being added to an endless book.
 |
| Splash, Mixed Media, 8 x 8 |
About a decade ago, my motivation to
create changed. Seeing endless news segments, articles, and pictures of the
trash we as humans leave behind filled me with sadness but also added a desire
to help. It seemed like the more convenient we make our lives, the bigger the
cost it has had on our environment.
 |
| Floating, Mixed Media, 7 x 24 |
Old appliances, used toys, and plastic
grocery bags are cut into a multitude shapes and sizes to form my work. The
original shapes of those objects are no longer recognizable. What was once
waste is now art and a representation of what could happen if we do not learn
to consider our planet first.
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| Human Traces on Earth #3, Mixed Media, 20 x 20 |
The juxtaposition of straight lines and shapes
in composition versus the organic curved ones represent different aspects of
nature and manmade forms.
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| Run #2, Acrylic on Canvas, 60 x 48 |
During the process of creating, I look at
my surroundings and use old household products and other refuse as part of my
work. When the visual part flows with my feelings, it’s time for the actions to
stop.
Every time I sit in front of
the canvas it is a new challenge. I don't lay down a sketch and paint. I have a
general idea of what I want then start adding objects and applying pigments. Occasionally
the subject, form, and content flow well together. However, most of the time
they do not. Colors, lines, shades, and shapes all fight on the surface of my
paintings. Sometimes it is so jarring that I must step back and wait for
everything to calm down. But when everything lines up and the piece is
complete, I get a sense of completeness and accomplishment that money could
never buy.
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| Fragile Nature, Mixed Media, 20 x 40 |
This is Week 1 of Artists Tell Their Stories in
2018. Thank you for reading and sharing Ann’s story today. To connect with Ann
and see more of her work, please visit the following links:
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