Today we’d like to introduce you to Annee Hahn.
Annee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a kid, I loved art. All kinds of art. In college, I fell in love with oil painting and continued painting for many years. I am also a collector; of junk, keys, bottle caps, corks, you-name-it, and have crates and boxes full of ‘found objects’. I started making 3-D artwork in shadow boxes loaded with jewelry as well as one with just random stuff. A few years ago a friend gave me an old bass guitar, and I went to town covering it with chains, buttons, and jewelry and now I’m hooked. I have since done seven more guitars, a ukulele, a violin (which won an Honorable Mention award at an Arts Council of the Conejo Valley show), two old big telephones, a football, and an old boot. The part I love the most is when I see people looking at these pieces, because they have so many little items to see, you can look for a really long time and keep seeing new junk, or stuff. I have a great time and two blank guitars calling me to come bling them out. I call this menagerie “Six String Bling”, and sold a beauty, with all turquoise jewelry at a recent art show.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the tough parts is the glue. I only use one brand (can I say it? E6000), which will hold even heavy metal objects in place forever. I start with one side of each guitar, then it has to dry for a day. Then another side, then the top, then bottom, and finally the face. I get anxious to continue but need the glue to dry well. Also, I need a well-ventilated area or the glue gives me a headache! Tiny struggles for so much fun!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have had many jobs in a number of different fields. I am currently a Nursery Professional and sell plants as well as going to homes and giving people an evaluation of their gardens. I was a Special Education Paraeducator for six years working at Middle and High Schools until we went out for Covid. I have had numerous bartending jobs, many as a side hustle to whatever position I held. I worked in an Art and Framing store for six years which was right up my alley and enjoyed the employee discount!! Prior to being a stay-at-home mom for 18 years I was a Marketing Executive at three different Southern California firms, and worked in fundraising for three years after moving from the Sacramento area in 1987.
What makes you happy?
Clouds: Because they remind me of my dad. He was a good photographer, and my mom used to say “These are all pictures of clouds!” Dogs: Especially my 9-year-old rescue terrier Goldie Hahn! She makes me laugh daily, and I adore her.
Cats: Ringo Winston is 11, and Layla George is 10. Both black, but Ringo has a white star on his chest and a white heart on his privates!
Rainbows: They make me stop and watch until they fade and I love the colors blending and bouncing off the blue sky.
My sons: (this probably should be #1!) Erik Paul is 29, and Andrew T is almost 28. How time flew. My two rocks.
Skydiving: Only went once but I gotta go again it was such a thrill.
Food: I love to cook and try new recipes, but it’s hard for me not to go off-script and add my own twist, which works well most times!
A friend gave me a guitar on my 60th birthday and I took lessons for 7 months; then voice lessons for 7 months, then I actually got up and did 10 open-mic nights!!! My new passion, but art comes first, so I never seem to get better on guitar! I know about 12 songs
Pricing:
- Guitars $1,000 and $750
- Ukulele and Violin $500
- Phone and Boot $500
Contact Info:
- Instagram: 1ArtsyOne
