Art that Lifts our Spirits Winner: Anne Schwartz

Vesuvius Erupted 216, 33" x 33", oil on canvas

Manhattan Arts International is one of several art organizations that Dynasty Brush, Inc. supports and sponsors.  In their latest online art competition, Manhattan Arts called for works that are uplifting.  "The Art that Lifts our Spirits" online gallery is now on view with the winners exhibited at the top of the webpage.  As a sponsor of the competition, Dynasty had the honor of choosing a winner from the selection of finalists for a brush prize package, and we chose Anne Schwartz's work, Vesuvius Erupted 216.

Manhattan Arts International is an organization created to provide resources for artists, exhibition opportunities and information about the international art community.  Each year they present juried exhibitions in order to provide all artists with career opportunities and advancement. As a result, thousands of artists from around the world have received exposure, publicity, and awards for their art work.  You can read more about their organization through their website or blog.

Tyrhennian Sea 200, 40" x 36", oil

When the exhibition opened for Dynasty to choose a winner, Anne's work stood out amongst the rest.  It was clearly an uplifting work, designed with thought and skill and a powerful use of color.  Not only was I thrilled to send Anne her $200 prize package of brushes, including Interboros, Interlock Bronze and Faux Squirrel, but I wanted to interview her to ask about her work and process.

Capri's Faraglioni 219, 33" x 36", oil on canvas

Anne found out about the competition through Renee Philips and her eNewsletter on Manhattan Arts International.  Anne doesn't normally enter competitions but felt that her work clearly exuded the principle points that the contest required.  


Anne started her formal work as an artist doing jewelry design, with a successful international business.  After taking some time out of work for family, she felt that painting would be a better calling when she returned.  With her background in design, her current works show an exceptional understanding of both design and color as well as texture.  The above work, Vesuvius Erupted 216, is part of a larger series entitled "Ricordi D'Italia" because of Anne's love for Italy.  Throughout the series, Anne works from photographs she has taken, doing realistic underpaintings in acrylics.  When she is pleased with the "drawing", she abstracts the work in oils on top, leaving bits and pieces showing of the original work underneath.  She finds the challenge to be in the abstraction rather than capturing the landscape in a representational painting.  Most of Anne's brushwork then is in the underpainting, though often she'll use whatever tool is necessary for the oil painting portion on top.  She primarily uses a lot of angle brushes, large flats, in natural bristle.  However, Anne was thrilled to find a Dynasty Wave Brush in the package she received for her award because she is looking forward to trying a new shape.  

Approaching Murano 220, 31" x 35", oil on canvas

If you'd like to see Anne's work in person, she will be part of a show, Geometric Horizons at Artspace Warehouse in Los Angeles this October.  To see Anne's full Ricordi D'Italia series, check out her work on her website:  www.annebschwartz.com

Keep Painting, 
Karyn 

For more brush information, check out the Dynasty Brush website.