Ann has been chosen to participate in the 2007 Biennale held in Florence, Italy.
"The sixth edition of the Florence Biennale will take place from 1 to 9 December 2007 in the historical Fortezza da Basso. In 2001 The United Nations recognized the Florence Biennale as an official partner in the program “Dialogue Among Nations”. The artists of the Biennale, despite their differences of language and faith, found a common language in art to communicate their cultural values, illustrating Kofi Annan's statement: "Art opens new doors for learning, understanding, and peace among people and nations". The sixth edition of the Biennale of Contemporary Art will take place at the historic location of the Fortezza da Basso from 1-9 December 2007. The 2005 edition, closed with a large public attendance and a happy presence of 768 artists worldwide. Christo and Jeanne-Claude and Richard Anuskiewicz who were awarded with the maximum recognition, the Lorenzo il Magnifico award for the career, were protagonists of unforgettable days, with conferences that attracted an impressive number of enthusiasts, artists and visitors." Sponsored by Klipsch Audio Technologies:http://www.klipsch.com
The BEST OF STATE AND WORLDWIDE ARTISTS & ARTISANS JURIED BOOK COMPETITIONS has chosen Ann to be included in the 2007 edition of The Best of Oil Painters. Visit their website at : www.bestofartists.com
Ann recently completed a custom mural in the corporate offices of Windrose Medical Properties in Indianapolis. In March, she painted a 10' X 20' Tuscan mural in the home of Fred & Judy Klipsch, of Carmel, Indiana. In January of 2005, Ann was featured on Sirius Satellite Radio's Wisdom channel as a guest of The Business Shrink, Peter Morris. You can also see her work in the September 2004 issue of Architectural Digest.
The Deborah DeFazio~Lyons Gallery, located at 43 W. Main, Carmel, IN (the Carmel Arts & Design District) featured Ann's Italian landscapes throughout the month of December 2006.
"I have heard the mermaids singing..." is featured in the2008 American Art Collector's Juried Competition of New Work. This presents a juried collection of original art and fine craft, covering the U.S. by region. It is published by Alcove Books in Berkeley, CA
Do I dare disturb the universe? is featured in the2006 American Art Collector's Juried Competition of New Work.
Harry in Venice is featured in the 2005 American Art Collector's Juried Competition of New Work.
Harry in Venice
"Do I dare disturb the universe?"
Artist's Statement:
As an artist, I strive to stir in people a new thought, a respite from their repetitive brain cycles, a contemplative plane upon which to rest the eyes. I want to remind people that we are the sum total of all who went before us, and the foundation for all who will follow. When people look at my paintings, I want them to walk away with a shift -- conscious or subconscious -- in their view of the world.
I am inspired most by ancient human history. Ruins and remnants of those who lived before us hold intense mystery; even the simplest landscape hides the footsteps of previous souls who loved, lost and conquered. I am grateful to the generations that preceded us and made this life possible, and I am conscious that someday our remains will be discovered and regarded with mystery. All of my work begins here.
Generally, my work can be divided into three categories: landscape, portrait and visionary. My landscapes well up from my deep passion for Italy. Traveling there and returning home, I paint my sacred memories as a way to share the joy and serenity I find there. The inspiring, warm pallette of the country matches the nature of its people, and its deep history permeates every view. Portraiture fulfills a desire within me to pay homage to those who have made a difference in someone's life, and acknowledge the fact that every human lives for a unique reason. Phrases from my poetry appear in my paintings as a way to spark new thought processes in the viewer, a reminder of our simultaneous permanence and impermanence.
To achieve my overall results, I use naturalism with sfumato. Sfumato, the dim haze of mystery that permeates the work of Leonardo da Vinci, is interpreted by me on both a literal and figurative level. It can appear as a dark brooding landscape or a phrase interpreted into a visionary realm. The Italian Renaissance and Baroque masters have had a profound affect on my interests, as does the Spanish Baroque painter Zurbaran.
As I work, I aspire to embrace the person I am, revere the possibilities I possess, and, with the grace of God, continue to develop into a painter who is appreciated for my depth.
Collections:
University of Evansville, Evansville, IN Amy Ahlersmeyer, Zionsville, IN Munawar Ali, Chicago, IL Kyle Blevins, Chicago, IL Dr. & Mrs. Timothy Burrell, Bloomington, IN Ms. Anne Doran, Indianapolis, IN Mr. & Mrs. Larry Downing, Indianapolis, IN Mr. & Mrs. Dustin Dubois, Fishers, IN Ahmed Fayed, Cairo, Egypt Lynn Gardner, Tucson, AZ Margaret Glover, Westfield, IN Dwana Heiney, Indianapolis, IN Mr. Kenneth Keene, Indianapolis, IN Fred & Judy Klipsch, Carmel, IN Mr. & Mrs. Fernando Lima, Goiania, Goias, Brazil Nicholas Logsdon, Indianapolis, IN Mrs. Marian Marlin, Brownsburg, IN James Martin, Indianapolis, IN George Munno, Daytona, FL Mr. & Mrs. Mike Phillips, Indianapolis, IN George Rubin, Indianapolis, IN Ms. Joan Servaas-Durham, Indianapolis, IN Mr. Doug Travis, Indianapolis, IN Mr. & Mrs. Wendell Stevens, Indianapolis, IN Klyde Sullivan, West Hollywood, CA Doug Travis, Chicago, IL Mrs. Kelli Waggoner, Brownsburg, IN Michael Wallace, Indianapolis, IN Thomas Wilson, Indianapolis, IN
Commissions:
Mrs. Bobbi Bradley, Indianapolis, IN: pet portrait Brian John Murray, Melbourne, Australia: portraits Mrs. Kelli Waggoner, Brownsburg, IN: family portraits Windrose Medical Properties~Corporate Offices, Indianapolis, IN Heartland Film Festival Auction 2003, Indianapolis, IN University of Evansville, Evansville, IN: Presidential Medal Box Ms. Anne Doran, Indianapolis, IN: pet portrait Fred & Judy Klipsch, Carmel, IN: Tuscan mural Fred & Judy Klipsch, Orlando, FL: portrait, various other paintings Mrs. Ellen Henricks-Greenspan, Indianapolis, IN: portrait Mrs. Marian Marlin, Brownsburg, IN: portrait, various other paintings Tribal Music Fest, Indianapolis, IN: festival poster design Ameritech Hispanic Management Club, Indianapolis, IN: graphic design Indianapolis Central Regional Blood Center & Ameritech: graphic design
Publications & Interviews:
6th Edition Catalog of the Biennale dell’Arte Contemporanea di Firenze - juried exhibition, 2007
The Best of Artists and Artisans-Oils - juried competition, 2007
American Art Collector Book- annual juried competition, 2005, 2006, 2008
The Business Shrink - interview on SIRIUS satellite radio's Wisdom channel - January 2005
Indianapolis Sunday Star - Indiana Living feature article, January 2004
Exhibitions:
* 6th Biennale dell’Arte Contemporanea di Firenze, 2007
* Deborah DeFazio~Lyons Gallery, Carmel, IN, 2006 * Group Show~Curtis Publishing, Indianapolis, 2005 * Here Is New York~A Democracy of Photographs, New York, NY, 2002 * Tribal Music Fest, Art Designer, Indianapolis, IN, 1997 * Design Emphasis, International juried furniture design competition, Atlanta, GA, 1996, 1992 * "Womyn Waxing, Womyn Weaving", Women in the Arts juried competition, 1st place sculpture award recipient - Judge Judy Chicago, Indiana University Fine Arts Gallery, 1996 * Damien Center of Indianapolis, presentation of my work "H.I.V. The Ultimate Achronym" to be used as a featured piece in their permanent art collection, 1996 * The Sacred Place Experience, juried exhibition, Ball State University School of Architecture and Planning, 1994 * Artforms' 93, Greater Lafayette Museum of Art (Purdue University) 1993 * Flying Island Writers' Center of Indianapolis, illustrations, Spring/Fall Issues, 1993 * Fantasy Furniture, juried exhibition, Artlink Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN, 1992 * Start With Art, Arts Council of Indianapolis juried competition, recipient of Locke-Reynolds Award for painting, 1992 *Whitewater Valley Annual Drawing, Painting, Photography and Printmaking juried competion - Judge Kay Larson, Indiana University, 1991 * Arts Indiana Postcard Competition, 1986~1991
Memberships:
The National Wildlife Federation The Humane Society The Hoosier Salon Indianapolis Museum of Art Indiana University Alumni
Artist's Bio:
Ann McGriffin graduated summa cum laude, with a B.F.A. in Woodworking, from Indiana University's Herron School of Art, although her passion has evolved into painting. Her work has been displayed in juried exhibitions in Florence, Italy, throughout the Midwest, Atlanta, GA., and is in private collections in the U.S., Australia, Egypt, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico. Research sabbaticals have taken her to the Yucatan (with Partners of the Americas) to teach art to Mayan children, study ancient art in Egypt, and work in the private studios of Maria Guillerminha - Director of Sculpture, University of Goiania, Goias, Brazil. Ann also regularly travels throughout Italy to study Renaissance and Baroque art...and drink wine.
On January 3, 2008, artist Lynn Thomsen departed from our physical world.If you did not know her, just let me say that the art world lost one marvelous educator.She was my professor at Herron School of Art and taught me all about Design and Color Theory.Enrolling in Lynn’s classes meant that you would be pushed to her heights of wisdom and then on to find your own.There was no compromise with her expectations of students and she did it with a big heart full of devotion for both art and the artist.Not only was Lynn an excellent teacher, she was also a good friend.She will be sadly missed by an art world in which she was desperately needed.Now she sits with her muse, Albers.
