l o c a l c u l t u r e
An Interview with Artist Ann Forbush B y A n n e H u n t e r
A nn Forbush is a multidisciplinary artist with a deep appreciation for fragile landscapes and habi- tats. Her most recent series, called Paint- ing the Water’s Edge, is an evocative col- lection of works that focuses on the beauty to be found along the margins. The exhibition will run from October 1 through December 31 at 25 Central Square in Seaside.
the sun and the moon are both in the sky. The light is magical.
Ann Forbush
Your favorite local restaurant? There are so many good options! My husband and I like to walk to Grayton Seafood with our little flashlight after dark—and close the place. What are your thoughts about art and New Urbanism? I am a fan of the New Urbanism move- ment, its compact organizational plan encourages walking and bicy- cling for daily activities. It’s oddly reminiscent of Grayton’s original layout from the 1890s.
What is your history and tie to Walton County?
My grandparents and my uncle bought two adjacent lots in Grayton in the 1950s. According to family lore, the lots were tangled jungles that had to be cleared with a machete (though I have a hard time imagining my grandmother wielding anything more dangerous than a rolling pin!). I have vivid memories of Grayton in the 1960s and 70s with unpaved roads, the General Store (now the Red Bar), endless skies, and the distinctive scent of live oaks after a storm. We’re fortunate that our family has been able to keep these lots for more than 65 years! Tell us about your educational background and the story of the moment you decided to pursue art. There wasn’t a particular “Aha!” moment when I be- came an artist. I’ve just always been a “maker”: working with textiles, metals, and dark-room photography in my early years; attending art college in Atlanta and Philadel- phia followed by a 20+ year career as a printmaker and instructor working in monoprints, collage, artist books, and found-object sculptures. In my mid-50s I returned to school and got my masters in fine arts. So, I guess that makes me a life-long learner. Tell us about your process for creating a painting. When you find or see something that you love and want to include—can you describe that moment of inspiration that becomes art? I think that, for everyone, what you know affects what you see. I take photographs and field notes, but my goal is not to recreate a scene. I’m more interested in cre- ating a mood and a place where the viewer can go to re- “Twilight”
What is your advice to aspiring artists?
My advice is to create art- work every day, explore different techniques, and surround yourself with materials that enrich your spir- it. These things will help your work gain momentum and depth.
Photos by Jack Gardner
“Double Back”
flect. The inspiration for the Painting the Water’s Edge exhibit was drawn directly from the landscapes in and around Grayton Beach. Though I’ve been coming to Grayton for my entire life, I’m now able to spend long stretches of time here and hope that this series will con- tribute to raising awareness about the beauty and fragility of the dune lake ecosystem. My recent work is mostly on paper and canvas, and I continue to experiment with 3-D works like hand- bound books and small-scale sculptures. Everything I make is very tactile. Torn edges, transparent layers of color, and utilizing the natural attributes of my materials are all through-lines—for example, I use beeswax to resist ink, or I emboss impressionable materials. Combining elements from the natural world, and marking moments in time, are also recurring themes. Describe your genres of art and what inspires you about each. What is your favorite time of the day at the beach? I like both ends of the day. The early morning when the mist rises over the lake and the early evening when
Share your thoughts about community-based collaborations. Art can bring people together and strengthen communities. Over the past decade, I’ve organized and participated in several projects with large groups of artists (up to 50) for international and US-based exhibitions to support non-profit cultural exchanges. Last year I created a print-on-demand cookbook (called Improvisational Cooking ) and donated the net proceeds to a food relief program for kids who usually get meals at school. After the Painting the Water’s Edge exhibit in Seaside, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center in Freeport, an educational non-profit that promotes biodiversity, sustainability, and the restoration of ecosystems. The Forbush exhibition will run from October 1 through December 31 2021 at Anne Hunter Galleries, 25 Central Square in Seaside, Florida. For more information visit: annehuntergalleries.com or www. apforbush.com.
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