We were lucky to catch up with Ann-Hammond Gift recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ann-Hammond, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My grandfather was an artist. He always had us creating, whether on vacation or if I was spending the day with him. He always encouraged creativity through music and painting. Whenever he was babysitting me, he would have crayons, colored pencils, and watercolors out for me, ready to go. Sometimes, he would even sketch a local animal for me to paint in the lines with. My grandfather sparked my creativity and curiosity, leading to constantly drawing and creating clothes out of construction paper. I remember art class became one of my favorite classes from kindergarten through high school.
I have always loved picking up a pencil and sketching. I have always had a love of learning and a desire to push myself to be better, whether that is in sports or art. That is why I chose to go to art school and pursue a career in painting and design.

Ann-Hammond, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am always looking for ways to combine fashion and painting into one. Fashion has always been an incredible inspiration for my artwork. From my construction paper fashion days when I was four years old to now, I have constantly been researching fashion and looking for ways to incorporate it into fine art. Rich colors, hats, colorful makeup, rhinestones, taffeta, bustles, and folds that engulf the human figure are what inspire me to paint. An investigation of how fashion shapes our perception of the human form is the focus of my practice. With painting, I find myself immersed when depicting shapes of fashion consuming the human form. The painting and fashion that I am interested in share themes of decoration, visual pleasure, imagination, and aesthetic luxury. In the world of my paintings, the garment gives the body a shape and form that moves (with or against) the body in a beautiful and transformative way. Like most of us, expensive paintings, and high fashion, are primarily accessible through social media and magazines. This fuels my desire to create the material and fabrics in my work on Yupo paper with paint and markers mirroring fashion illustrations. My desire for something sumptuous is attainable to me through painting, as I can produce images of beauty and fantasy referencing this unattainable luxury.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Knowing each day could be the day I create the best piece of artwork I have ever created is what drives my passion. I am truly grateful to spend every day doing something I genuinely love. Art is an incredible outlet to have, and I feel so lucky that I get to do it as a profession. I have met and have had the best conversations with the most exciting artists and art lovers. Collaborating and hearing views of art all across the board is so rewarding to have in the art community. Collaboration can give you ideas and inspiration you may never have known was possible. Therefore, I think being able to do what you love and share it to create a conversation with art lovers alike is such a rewarding aspect of being an artist.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Learning about contemporary artists is so important and easy. I wish I had known how valuable that was sooner. We all go through art history; however, to be a contemporary artist, it is essential to learn about our emerging and established artists today and their artistic journey. Art 21 is a valuable source to listen to or watch while you work in your studio; you learn so much. Listening to established artists talk about their work has helped me know how to explain what I do to others more clearly.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.giftartanddesign.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gift_artanddesign/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiftArtandDesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-hammond-gift-0bb573171/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUMNQIfDIRJX8JTzGkHltgg