Ann Travis: Capturing Serenity
Ann Travis is a painter in Charlotte making work that reflects the infinite patterns and colors offered by nature. She often focuses on particular angles or specific details in her botanical subjects and enjoys exploring how these views and colors transform throughout the day, capturing the essence of nature's ever-changing beauty. Nature inspires her color choices, with the shifting light of the day providing a foundation for evolving moods and hues, and she delights in exploring the nuances of shades to develop textures and depth in her creations.
How did your creative journey begin?
Oddly enough, it was a family trip to Disney. We took the “Animator’s Studio” class where you use a lightboard and are taught how to draw one of Disney’s characters. I had been raising my two kids and building a Finance career for years so I was smack in the middle of burnout, but reconnecting with my creative side that I had so loved as a child reenergized me. From there I started drawing portraits for a few years before I picked up painting and found my real passion.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Getting away is helpful to focus my mind to be creative. I love the beach, but also find the peace of the mountains inspiring. Being around nature is sort of a jump start for my mind and I start imagining how a scene or object would look as a painting. Anywhere I go I take a lot of pictures and experiment with possible compositions. I’m a visual person so this is a great way to try out different ideas and to connect with where I am.
How has your work evolved over the last few years?
As most artists probably do, I’ve experimented with different styles and different mediums. I started painting with acrylics and continued for a couple years (dabbling occasionally in watercolor, pencils, etc but those just didn’t click with me in the same way). I switched to oils in the fall of 2019 and after the initial feeling of painting with butter, I was hooked. I love the blending capabilities and feel like I can get a much better range of shades. I’ve honed in on botanicals and coastal-inspired scenes for the most part simply because they speak to me more than other things and I feel like my end result is much better. I still paint other things from time to time, either because I get a creative whisper or a request. But I’m continually drawn back to the botanicals and coastal scenes.
What does a typical day in the studio look like for you, and how has your art practice grown or changed?
I work part time as a CFO for an architecture firm so I usually work in the morning and then switch to painting in the afternoon. The flexibility of my schedule is great because I can keep an eye on work as needed while still pursuing my creative aspirations. Then I typically paint until dinnertime or sometimes into the evening if I’m on a roll. I typically paint some of one or both days on the weekend as well. Over time, I’ve tried to increase the chunks of time I have to create. I find having the freedom and flexibility without having a hard stop frees my mind to really disappear into my paintings.
Which experiences have impacted your work as an artist?
My most exciting experience has been selection for the ArtPop Street Gallery Class of 2024. Not only is it an honor to be selected out of so many applicants, but it has led me to create connections with so many people in the art community. As a self-taught artist coming from a very technical career, this is the piece that I really craved. Being around creative people and connected to such a great community has been a real blessing. ArtPop partners with media companies all over the country so our art is in front of the public in so many places. One of the most exciting places is Times Square! We were on “the Bird” in early spring and now we are back on both “the Bird” as well as “Duffy Square!"
How has social media impacted your work?
Social media provides a great place to show my work and connect with a broader audience than I might have access to otherwise. It fosters collaboration and provides inspiration. I can engage with my followers, share the creative process behind my paintings and get feedback on different pieces. I can connect to the broader art world through other painters and creatives and draw from their energy.
Can you share more about the emotions you hope to convey through your work?
My paintings are about capturing a feeling. Creating gives me a serene, peaceful mood, which flows into my work. Evoking that same sense of serenity for my collectors is my primary goal.
Website: www.annjtravisart.com
Instagram: @annjtravisart