Alright – so today we have the honor of introducing you to Anna Hamer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation. We’ve shared it below.

Anna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

When I was in art school in Florida I had three jobs to pay for school. One of these was teaching art at a local church on Saturday afternoons. Being a student myself, I’d never taught before but being the oldest of nine children had given me (in my mind, anyways) some experience with kids. The only supplies we had in this class were crayons and paper. For some reason I asked these five eight-year-old boys to make self portraits. We had no mirrors! One of the students drew a tiny figure in the very middle of this huge piece of paper. When they showed it to me, I had a visceral response. Their guardian arrived after class and refused to discuss or even look at the art. The drawing was abandoned. To me, this child had so clearly conveyed their feelings of insignificance. I could feel how small this person felt in this big, scary adult world with no support for their feelings. I was amazed at how much information and insight this one little project had given me. I had found the spark of what I was really interested in doing with art. I wanted to convey things that are felt and not seen. Things that are not easily said with words.

Thank you for sharing that powerful story with us. Before we ask you more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers and tell us how you got to where you are today?

I was born in California before our family moved to the South. I grew up in a military home and lived on Air Force bases. My only quiet time was spent alone in the woods. I collected mosses. I observed the changing seasons, spent time near the ocean, collected and studied shells. We foraged sassafras for tea and knew where the sourgrass grew. Being out in the natural world was my tiny respite away from my big family and the responsibilities of being the oldest child. I had always known that I wanted to be an artist. My grandmother was very creative and that showed me that being an artist was an acceptable way to be. When I left home for art school, I majored in graphic design and illustration and then worked freelance for many years to support myself. My true love was always painting, so I would paint in the evenings after my full work day. I participated in the art scene in my city and beyond and showed my art in many group shows. I now have a full-time studio practice.

My current work has grown from a deeper understanding of our interdependence with the natural world. Remembering that feeling of divine awe and connection in the landscape becomes the starting point for my painting. I look to nature for clues about how we can live in cooperation with each other and how to express the beauty and the terror of living on a planet in crisis.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

That’s a very interesting question. I’m so glad you asked me that. Don’t be afraid to ask questions of artists about their art and ideas. Artists may think a little differently, so let that spark a conversation. Why do you paint that? What is your motivation? Then listen. Practice listening. It’s the best thing we can do for each other. We are such a rich, beautiful world and there really is enough for everyone. Nature can give us clues on how to live in community, how to share and care for each other.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

To slow down, get quiet and listen. Listen to the inner voice, listen to those who have different life experiences than you do, listen to the inner calm, listen to the earth hurting. Balance all of this beauty with the pain that is present in our world. There is a strange comfort that comes from accepting that we as a species are doomed. That way, we understand that making a joyful noise is all we can do! We owe it to our life, to the earth, to dance and sing, paint, write, plant, grow and most of all, love and support one another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annahamer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annahamer.artist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anna.hamer.9

Image Credits
courtesy of the artist