Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annell Livingston. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Annell, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

As an artist, a painter, I could not be happy doing anything else. An artist is all that I have ever wanted, even as a small child, when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My answer, “an artist.”

I have been practicing for over 60 years, and just the other day, I was thinking, “What a journey!! Each painting an investigation, an exploration, discovering new territory. Never boring, “Art, is something impossible to get, always reaching for what is just beyond, always just out of reach. We remain, a work in progress.”

My life is full, even though most of the time I am alone in the studio. Over the years, I have sacrificed much to have the time, to be alone, to create.

You get an idea, that sets you on fire, then it takes time to proof that idea, find out if it works for you. “Time” is the key. You work the idea over and over, in time, it becomes your own. I think of it like a deck of cards, you never get the same hand, it is always new.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Professional Artist, and you ask, “What does that mean?”

To be a Professional is to be prepared, over the years, I have worked with several galleries I follow the rules of the gallery. I respect them, as they respect me.

I give to my work what is necessary, and for me, that is reaching just beyond where I am.

My work is fresh, always changing.
Not dry and stale,I am excited about my work, and I think you can read this when looking at it.

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

It seems the most disappointing aspect of our culture, is that art is no longer taught in many schools. Therefore people have no idea about what art can do for them. Many people think art is for someone else, but the truth is, art is for you. Art enriches your life. It is like looking for a four leaf clover in a field, the excitment of the search, and you never know what you will find.

I was recently in a drawing show, and it was exciting to me, how much people liked the show, after all everyone can draw, they may not like how they draw, but after all, most people stop drawing at the age of nine, and when they try to draw again, they draw as they did at the age of nine.

It is really not to learn to draw better, but to learn to love what you draw, the wonder of it all.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing, is that you are free to do whatever interests you, no one tells you what you should be doing. That is freedom, and as an artist I am lucky, I have that freedom.

My studio time is not without structure. I know what I will be doing each day, and my goal is to stay on schedule, use time wisely.

It is not that everyone loves everything I do, but they are also free to respond or not.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.annelllivingston.com
• Facebook: annell livingston
• Other: email: [email protected]

Image Credits
I took the photos. Annell Livingston