Today we’d like to introduce you to ANNE CHIPMAN.
ANNE, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I had a hard time growing up. One my environment was very abusive, two I had learning disabilities that were never addressed. I felt like I wasn’t good at anything and unless. Then when I was 14 my mom found this artist and asked if he would give me classes. And everything just clicked. Art became a way to express myself, I was good at it. People around me were finally impressed—I was good at something. I never really considered a career in art or dream of art school though. Where I was in my life I honestly didn’t see a future for myself, I just focused on getting through the day. When I was 16 I stayed in the hospital for 10 days from an array of problems. While there I watched the show Falicity, I remember watching her go to art school and I saw my goal I was gonna be an artist. Life kinda got in the way, I had to drop out of Cal State Fullerton, my gig as an artist assistant fell through, and then my mental health declined. I kept painting and learning although as my mental state got worse my creativity tanked. About 2 years ago I started claiming my power back and thats how I ended up here. An artist, still growing still learning, but I’m painting and that was the goal from all those years ago. I’m still growing, my commissions are mainly pet portraits which I love—I have 3 fur babies myself. I am also working on my own stuff to hopefully show one day. I have a lot to tell and I feel like maybe someone out there would connect with my work.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think my mental health and relationships were my biggest obstacles. I quit school to follow my ex husband and chase his dreams. While I am ok with that choice I wish we could have found a way to chase my dream too. Second, he became a drug addict and got me hooked too. My creative and drive completely left. My mental health which has never been that stable took a dive, and I went to some low places. Our relationship became abusive and that just killed me. getting out and getting heathy has been a struggle but I cried when I was finally able to create again. I forgot what I lost because I was so down in a pit, and climbing out and doing what I love has been my biggest beessing
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have done a lot but I think I always come back to oil painting. It is my lover, I hate it I love it it drives me crazy it lifts me up and Ill never let it go. There are so many amazing artists out there I wouldn’t even know how I would say I could be set apart other then I paint my creativity. I think it is like a thumb print—creativity that is. There is so much out there but mine has been shaped by my unique experiences. Then I also do pet portraits which is just so much fun being able to bring the fur babies into immortality.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I want to keep growing as an artist, I have been thinking of playing with tattooing. Maybe, we will see. I definitely want to maybe one day be in a gallery or show. I still have to get there though, I think I’m in my growing period, I am developing my style right now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: a.chipmanart
