What a small world we live in! I learned just a few weeks ago that Anne Harwell is not only an artist like myself, but a Michigan native as well! It is a true pleasure having her share her story here...

Where were you born?
I was born in Detroit, Michigan.

What are your earliest memories of being involved in making art or wanting to be an artist?
From an early age, I was obsessed with any and all kinds of art and office supplies. I would spend my compulsory "nap time" as a kid, creating things from paper cuttings, mucilage and crayons. I would then use a wet cloth to dampen the hair around my hairline and rub my cheeks to convince my mom that I had actually slept a little.

What type of subject matter inspires you most?
I am drawn to design and interiors, in particular.

Tell us a little about your family and where you live.
I am single and live in Bonita Springs, FL on the Gulf Coast. I love the mild climate and living near the beach. It's a perfect, laid-back setting that is great for day-to-day living, far from the urban angst I have experienced living in large cities elsewhere.

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and an artist?
My relationship with God is the most essential thing to keeping me centered, content and sane in this crazy world. My family is also a great source of support and I am very grateful for a close relationship with them. I love being outside, frequenting bookstores, cooking, keeping up with my friends, getting quiet time and plenty of sleep. I also always have a bottle of water with me....always!

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?
That is a hard question - I would probably live here in Florida most of the time, but would also love to live in Paris, London, or Barcelona for part of the year.

What are the most challenging things for you being an artist?
Probably the fact that I am entirely responsible for every aspect of my own business and I have to be a self-starter. Building up a client base and a consistent income can be a challenge as well, but hard work and perseverance pay off. I wouldn't trade the joy and satisfaction that I derive from being an artist for the mundane security of a predictable job, though.

Here are some examples of her work...the first, an intricately hand-cut silhouette of a classic Chinese Chippendale chair is one of my favorites by far!

And I really love her framed quotes!

On our way home from a week-long vacation up north in Michigan, my husband and I stopped by a familiar 'friend'...my childhood cottage at Houghton Lake. It has since been updated with new siding, windows, a new deck, but I recognized it just the same. It was where my family spent each summer before my parent's divorce. I loved those summers at the lake. As a young girl all I cared about was swimming for hours on end, fishing with my Dad, and walking up to the local party store with summertime friends. I felt such a mix of emotions as I looked around the cottage grounds, so much has changed, and it is so hard to believe it was some twenty years or so since I had been there. I looked at the grouping of three trees where I used to play kick-the-can, out at the lake where we used to have our favorite fishing spot, along the shoreline where there used to be a beautiful, sandy beach, now replaced with a concrete retaining wall...it all seemed so familiar and yet I was looking at these things not thru the eyes of young girl, but of a grown woman. I will admit, quite a few tears were shed that day. I loved our cottage at Houghton Lake, summers spent with family & friends, peace and serenity...what I'd give to get some of that time back.
As we prepared to leave I looked around one last time and realized that this place has indeed changed, it is no longer the 'friend' I once knew, it belongs to a new family...the place I remember is in my heart, and that is where it will always remain. And someday, if I am so blessed, I hope to have another cottage in which new memories can be made...laughter among friends, crackling bonfires, waves lapping against the shore...the simple beauty of life.

Finally arrived home this evening after a much needed, week-long, internet-free vacation to the upper part of the lower peninsula of Michigan ;o)
(try and repeat that three times quickly :) I will be back at the easel first thing tomorrow!
And a little bit of shameless self-promotion here, the delightful Anne Harwell posted an interview about me on her blog which you can find by clicking here. I look forward to interviewing Anne herself in the very near future! I am not only an artist, but collect art as well, and I always find it so fascinating to learn what inspires other artists, how they got started as an artist, etc.
Thank you again Anne for such a wonderful post! :)

If you have never heard of the Nie Nie Dialogues you really need to take a minute and read this young woman's blog...after surviving a fiery plane crash just over a year ago, she has become an inspiration for so many people around the world. Her courage, determination, faith in God, and tender spirit are something to embrace. Personally, she makes me want to become a Mom even more now, a better wife, and to never take anything for granted.
(*To read what others are 'Hooked On', visit the Hooked on Fridays Blog Post)

I wanted to be sure to pass on a bit of exciting news from Linda MacDonald over at Restyled Home, who is their Editor-at-Large for the new Flea Market Style Magazine!: