We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anne Marie Herzberg a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anne Marie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

This past year 2023 , I sold my first painting. When I began painting (2017), my priority was to learn a new skill. Selling was not even a consideration. Therefore, when I was considered ( by a juried panel) for an artwalk competition in May 2023, I was excited, even a bit overwhelm. Honestly, I liked my work but always had a nagging thought that because I wasn’t traditionally trained and experienced, I was not really an artist However, my mindset changed when I presented a body of work among some very talented artists. Someone, who I didn’t know, bought my painting !

Anne Marie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Primarily, I paint with oils, but I have experimented a bit with acrylics, watercolors and gouache. I started painting by attending a class at a local arts and crafts store. Quickly, I realized I enjoyed the process, the challenge of learning a new thing, and the encouragement of both the teacher and other students. In many ways, the time, effort and the outcome are very therapeutic. I enjoy learning and I want to stay amazed, excited and challenged.
Almost 5 years ago, I assisted in starting a weekly studio painting class at my church. My role is to facilitate and encourage the other students. We have a very talented artist as our teacher.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Many decades ago, when I was in middle school, I had an art teacher tell me that I would never be an artist. That same year, I had an administrator tell me that I couldn’t register/study two foreign languages, simultaneously. They were both wrong. However, I believed the first one but didn’t give it much thought. The second declaration I proved wrong by completely 4 years of both high school french and spanish and then earned a BA in Spanish and then taught Spanish.

My lesson unlearned is … Don’t allow others (even those in authority) to define you, your abilities, your creativity. Welcome opportunities to learn, to create and to encourage others to do the same.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I love the amazement and accomplishment I feel when I complete a work and share it. However, through the process from conception to completion, I still am so aware of how much there is to learn and I look forward to the challenge.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: annemarieherzberg

Image Credits
photo credits: