Artist Bio and Statement

Anne Marie McNamara is a self-taught mixed media artist, an intuitive energy worker and an author.  She grew up in Tacoma, Washington, and moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington.  She studied cultural anthropology and learned that there are many ways to see something. This concept was reinforced by a childhood memory.

Artist Statement

My work is also based on an incident that happened to me as a toddler.  One day I found my baby book and decided a little pink crayon on the first page was a wonderful addition.    I don't remember if it hurt but the shock of my pacifist mother hitting me froze that memory in time.  Years later, having my own toddler, my mother gave me my baby book.  As I opened the book and saw the pink crayon line, the pink crayon picture moment came back into my conscious mind.  I remembered when I added the pink crayon mark it became one with the white background, not two separate colors. Now after years of school this time I saw the two different features of this page: a pink crayon line on a simple white page of the book.  I pondered this visual memory. Soon after I decided I want people to ponder what they are really seeing.

Since there is no single way to look at my work, the viewer's mood may change as the picture is rotated with a turn. Hence, the term Turn Art™ to describe the style.  It is made with the notion of interactive fun and playfulness with a three dimensional effect playing with light, balance and design.  I invite viewers to interact with my artwork by rotating each piece and view each directional orientation.

A very astute mentor pointed out to me that my art ruthlessly challenges the viewer and my audience. It surprised me. I never recognized I was doing this but I am. It is exactly what I am doing. At the same time I want the viewer to enjoy their time with the art with the fluidity, complexity and the meditative visual.

Steve Fuller, Professor Emeritus, UW was my neighbor, and mentor. He pushed me to focus on balance for the visual whole.  I studied Sumi watercolor with Fumiko Kimura and attended some basic fine art classes at Tacoma Community College.  As a teenager I was strongly influenced by the art work of M.C. Echer, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, the Wyeth’s family artists, and Mary Cassatt.

My nom d'brush was SUMMER.  It reminds me of lightness and the longest day of the year.  I was born on June 21st and my birth is my first known creative act. Now I sign my art Anne Marie McNamara

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Please contact Anne Marie McNamara for purchases, image usage, licensing and unique commissions.