As an African and as an artist, I’ve often wondered whether portraying myself as an 'African artist' truly captures the essence of my art. I grew up in the West African country of Ghana and studied at the College of Art - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, under some of the finest contemporary Ghanaian painters. I was mentored and tutored by Ato Delaquis, the renowned Ghanaian artist.
However, as a painter, my inspiration comes from Rolf Harris, the Australian artist who lives and works in the UK. Rolf paints with broad, confident strokes and creates his pictures by pulling highlights out of the dark coloured background of his canvases. I have tried to emulate his style and in doing so have developed a style of my own. Having spent years at art school learning to paint the ‘right way’, I learned from Rolf that there is no wrong way of painting and since then have discarded my inhibitions and paint to a style that pleases me. I hope that the same pleasure is invoked in others.
I completed my formal training in 1984 and for 20 odd years did not touch a single brush. I moved to the UK and entered the rat race in a bid to make a living and took a full time job working in IT. Early in 2000 I returned to my real passion after setting up my own business making fine art prints for artists and photographers. I have come full circle and for me the the learning has only just began. I feel artists have a God given gift which should be nurtured and treasured.
I am fascinated by people, and love to watch them as they go about their daily tasks. I work mostly from photographs using my camera as my digital 'sketchpad' and use a zoom lens so as not to intrude into their personal space. In each picture I am captivated by the subject and want almost inquisitively to get into their minds and into their thoughts.
I use really bright colours and perhaps that comes from the African in me. I am drawn to the exquisite patterns of the printed fabrics from which their clothes are made, seeing rich vibrant colours against the poor backgrounds of the fisher-folk depicted in my current series ‘People At Work’.
The paintings in this series provide some insight into the rural life of my beloved Ghana and each is illustrated with some information about the people and their lifestyle.
I hope that you will enjoy my images as much as I enjoy creating them.
I am very privileged to have studied at the finest school in Ghana and feel even more privileged to be able to give something back. 10% of the sale of my paintings will be donated to the school fund of my alma mater Achimota School. Further details about the school can be found under the 'links' tab.
Anne Blankson-Hemans B.A (hons) Fine Art; Associate Member NTCAS (Northampton Town & County Art Society), member of the FPAA (Fellowship of Professional & Amateur Artistists.
If you want to know what I've been up to - follow my blog http://www.anneherbert.blogspot.com/
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