Annette Grantham

I have had a lifelong appreciation for nature. As a child, I spent all of my free time building forts outside, riding bikes, and climbing trees. I would constantly bring home nature’s tokens: pinecones, shells, seedpods, and rocks (LOTS of rocks).  When I couldn’t be out of doors I was drawing pictures of it.

As a teen, I spent even more time drawing and learning to see. But we all have to grow up, and once I was married art necessarily took a backseat. My family grew, and I did not have much time for drawing. But we did spend lots of family time outdoors playing and camping. My five children developed a reverence for nature and learned to be good stewards of the earth. I shared what I knew about wildlife, plants…and rocks.

Finally, with my youngest child in high school, I found my way back to art. I started with the basics, waking up those dormant brain cells with graphite exercises. When I felt comfortable again, I tried my hand at colored pencil. Having done some watercolor in college, my return to this was very satisfying. But when I saw a friend working in pastel---wow! I was awakened to its luminosity like Dorothy stepping into OZ! A pastel love affair ensued. With its velvety texture and resplendent color, I was hooked!

Pastel is heady and exciting! Pastel is vivid and fresh. Pastel can appear as substantial as oil paint, but there is no dry time. I connect with the color like it’s coming right from my fingertips. I believe I have found the perfect medium to express my deep-seated love of the landscape. Nature, in its variety, is a constant source of inspiration and now I share my joy through my pastels.
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Working in pastel has opened many new opportunities. I have been honored to have my artwork included in several TPS shows as well as exhibitions for the Empire Ranch Foundation and the current show, Puma: Past and Present at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

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