Mermaid Print by Ann Willey
This reproduction features an image from an original painting by Ann Willey of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The image size is approximately 7" x 9" on an 8" x 10" piece of paper. Printed with archival inks on fine art paper.
I have been making art all my life. Now my children are grown and on their own journeys, and I am finding new energy to pour into my artwork, which I see as a kind of visual poetry.
My work draws inspiration from many sources, and it portrays a world where myths, fairytales, dreams and everyday life overlap and intermingle. The scenes created in the work hint at a narrative, but they act more like a poem or haiku, providing a quick glimpse into a world below the surface. In the tradition of magical realism, the objects, animals and figures have the potential to represent more than just themselves and could, at any moment, transform into something else.
Sometimes in the work I am exploring personal aspects of our lives including traditions of care and compassion. In other pieces I'm exploring psychological realms and journeys. It's important when I work to let my mind wander, allowing for an element of play and spontaneity. What the imagery may be about is revealed slowly to me over time, and I hope the paintings engage others in a similar way, as they make connections and narratives of their own.
Find more of Ann's work here.
