Anne Ducrot

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Biography

This is where you learn a little bit more about me & my process. . .
as well as what you can expect if you order a commission.

One of my deepest fascinations as an artist lies in experimenting with the power of colors to express aliveness & emotions.

With each painting, I am interested in capturing a particular mood with different levels of contrast between light & dark, movement & stillness. I am a big-time daydreamer & nature-lover so my work is often about exploring the fine line between fantasy & daily-reality. As I seek to extract the essence of scenes and things, they inevitably start to escape my control to live a life of their own.

The magic happens when I allow this process to be as it is.

Here's the more detailed version. . .

I've always been deeply drawn to colors & painting ever since I was a child. But it's only later in life, after various scientific and business studies, then earning a Masters in Architecture at UC Berkeley at 37 years old, that I finally allowed myself to be more fully dedicated to painting.

Raised in Provence by the Mediterranean, I moved to Northern California when I was 25. By now, I have lived an equal amount of time in both places, and both have been a marvelous source of inspiration that influence my art in many magical ways.

When I make art, I like to "follow my bliss" every step of the way. So I try not to intellectualize my process too much - neither while making it nor while talking about it. Painting - and connecting to nature - is one of the few areas in my life where I have the opportunity to let go of the control of my mind, and instead surrender to my internal world of moods, feelings and sensations.

Atmosphere and color harmony are my main focus. As a nature & animal lover, my favorite subject matters often include water, trees, flowers, dogs and butterflies. Since am also a big time day-dreamer, I'm usually exploring that thin edge between fantasy and realism using some form of abstraction and impressionism.

My goal - and hope - is to trigger enough emotion in the viewer for them to create their own story: something that goes beyond the subject matter itself. Our stories don't have to coincide because I am not looking to convey one single message or impression. In fact, I greatly enjoy hearing about the variety of stories people experience when seeing my art.

I'm fascinated by the particular ability painters have to render a certain quality of LIGHT with the properties of the physical materials that are available to us. As a result, I LOVE to experiment with new techniques on a continual basis, and I work with many different media, painting supports, genres and sizes.

I believe chaos and "mess" are at the root of evolution, and I feel the role of the artist is also to bring chaos to order - not just order and beauty to chaos.

This exploratory way of working keeps me inspired and energized, and takes me along different paths simultaneously. I don't show all of its results, but this continuous process of discovery stretches me beyond my comfort zone and is a huge part of my evolution as an artist.

This soul-nourishing approach has produced a body of work that has remained rather eclectic over time, rich with layers of experiences. One of the reasons most of my collectors keep on coming back to acquire more of my paintings, is because I keep surprising them. Each painting, with its unique mood and colors, evokes a particular emotion that finds a specific place in their life.

In regards to painting, the muse comes to me when I am able to follow my flow in the moment and I believe this "intense aliveness of the now" is what transpires most in my paintings. So when I paint, I often don't have a firm plan -- and when I do, I know it may not happen.

My favorite way to work is a combination from LIFE/plein-air and IMAGINATION. However, I also use my own photographs as points of departure from time to time: whatever source of inspiration it takes to get my juices going. In this process, I mostly focus on the sensual pleasure of painting EVERY STEP ALONG the WAY, and view "painting accidents" as opportunities to surprise myself and learn new ways of doing things.

Over the last 18 years, I have made my work available to various private collectors all over the world - in person, through word of mouth, during shows, and gallery representation, and finally online since 2013.

I hope you'll enjoy viewing my work here. Please connect with me if you feel inspired to do so: I greatly enjoy hearing about the variety of stories people experience when seeing my art. I also thrive on supporting others in exploring the wonders of the creative process and am available for classes and one on one sessions online or in person. I love to teach small groups of passionate, curious artists and avid learners, so I encourage you to inquire about this if you feel a bit of tugging in your heart.

I also gladly accept commissions once we are sure there is a match and alignment between your expectations and my vision as an artist. This process is fun and easy, and also takes a little back and forth between us for refinement: I want to make sure I will be making a painting you will love and cherish for many years. This may be done by email, audio call, or video call.

Come back again soon to check on my new work.

And if you are a true fan, please sign up for my newsletter in the link below.

Thank you for visiting!
: -)

Anne

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