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annEpeck is exhibiting a body of artwork at the South Pasadena Jones Coffee Roasters on Mission Street and the community is invited for an artist reception during the upcoming South Pasadena Arts Crawl. The current exhibition includes four original art pieces that present her own unique style which can be considered colorful and whimsical, typically created with acrylic and watercolor and at times have been created with black Indian ink.
While in the current exhibition, there may not be a theme, per se, that ties the pieces together, they do resonate with each other through their style – each standing on their own and complimenting each other at the same time.
A few of the art pieces on display have been integrated into her recently released book entitled “48th Street”. The book contains black and white versions of some of the artwork on exhibition; and while creatively placed in the book, the original pieces being exhibited do display a more vibrant appeal because of the color schemes.
The whimsical aspect of the pieces come from what was once considered “mistakes” that now have evolved into the character of the artwork itself. The wiggly lines, the skewed perspectives, the almost impressionistic style, all accumulate into annEpeck’s own defined style of art making.
“I would always say to younger artists, to children or grandchildren of mine, I would always say; ‘there is no such thing as a mistake in art.’ In the past, what I may have called a ‘mistake,’ I now think; ‘well, that’s the art piece telling me how it’s supposed to look.’ And I think that pieces of art, in my case anyway, kind of paint themselves through me.” annEpeck goes on to state, “when I am painting, when I’m able to paint, I feel like I’m playing – almost child-like at times.”
Subjects found in her artwork stem from scenes in her own home, from travels and daily commutes, photographs found in literature, and at times, nude models. In essence, they are scenes that “pop out” to annEpeck which are photographed and later artistically transferred onto the canvas; not with delicate precision, but with annEpeck’s own playful and whimsical creative touch, creating a sort of impressionistic interpretation of the collected moment.
annEpeck has recently moved to Los Angeles from Chicago, and the body of artwork on display at the South Pasadena Jones Coffee is her first exhibition in her new home state of California. While in Chicago, art making was secondary to her career as a real estate agent, housing some of the elite wealthy within the area. Her move to California is also a commitment to the life of an artist, leaving a plush career behind to forge a new path, claiming herself an artist and author.
When asked what it meant to have her artwork now on display and watching guests interact with the art over a cup of coffee; reading the bio, taking a moment to experience the art, annEpeck keenly replied, “it just makes me so happy because it’s me living out loud as I really am.”
She further goes on to explain the sensation realized when witnessing guests of the cafe interacting with the art, “I feel like I’m being authentic. My authentic self is being an artist and an author…”
Taking a stand to be an author and writing the book “48th Street” in 2021 was the catalyst that initiated the journey toward her authentic self, where she emerged out of the experience to be both.
annEpeck will be hosting an artist reception during the South Pasadena Arts Crawl, this coming Saturday, February 11th starting at 3pm. The community is invited to meet with annEpeck at the Jones Coffee Roasters on Mission Street where she will be presenting additional artwork exclusive to the Arts Crawl as well as presenting her book, ’48th Street’ a collection of prose poems and drawings depicting an uplifting, inspiring testament to the power of the human spirit and the power of art to heal any wound.
Art exhibition is curated by Sector Seven Contemporary Art Gallery, for more information follow @S7CAG on Instagram.
