Hi, I,m Ann
My Story
I come from a family of artists (my mom and my brother), but I never thought of myself as an artist.
I grew up exposed to all kinds of music and read everything. Art wasn’t explored until I started my teaching career. I loved to create with my students, believing that everyone is creative. Their masterpieces decorated the classroom walls.
After I retired in 2010, I began exploring art journaling and mixed media, which lead me to hand making books. I was inspired by the books I found about bookmaking. I continued with on-line classes and joined The Handmade Book Club. I discovered the weight and texture of paper and then found a supplier with beautiful artist papers. As I learned, experimented, and practiced my skill improved.
With the encouragement of an artist friend, I entered some art fairs. My Instagram page was published, while my Etsy page came soon after.
In more recent years, I have explored marbling, gel printing, eco-dying, handmade paper, mixed media, altered books, and acrylic and watercolor painting. I incorporate it all in my bookmaking and love to work on commission. When someone asks for a special book to be made it allows them and me to be especially creative.
In the summer of 2023, I started expanding my eco-printing to fabric and added dying with natural dyes. So many plants, such as goldenrod, logwood, pomegranate, and the common reed, give beautiful earthy colors to fabric.
In 2022, I discovered art therapy and sound healing, took on-line classes, and received my certification. I’m excited to begin sessions in art therapy and share the unique experience art plays when applied to issues of self-esteem, trauma, loss, addiction, depression, stress, and more.
I’m creating classes and tutorials on Teachable. I’m especially excited, after much study and experimentation, about teaching how to fold and put together the Zhen Xian Bao (Chinese Thread Box). Visit my Teachable account. Dragonflybooksandart.teachable.com
