Local Artist Spotlight: Anne Harkness Finds Freedom Through Oil Painting
Art has been a lifelong part of Anne Harkness’ story. Raised in a family surrounded by artists, Harkness grew up with painters, a sculptor and cultural influences from around the world filling her home. From sitting at the kitchen table drawing with her brothers as a child to building a career in graphic design, art has remained a constant throughout her life.
It was not until later, however, that Harkness found the medium that truly felt like her own: oil painting.
Throughout school, teachers recognized her artistic ability. While she struggled with some traditional aspects of school, art was the one thing that always felt natural for her. She studied graphic design at the Atlanta College of Art and Maryland Institute College of Art before beginning a career that included newspaper illustration and page design. After moving to New York City, she worked as a graphic designer, creating logos, packaging, illustrations and product designs.
After 15 years, Harkness returned to the Charlotte area, where she grew up, and raised two children while continuing to make art. During that time, several areas of her life were coming to an end—her job, a mural she had created was being removed as part of a redesign and other projects were changing its direction.
Harkness realized it was time to take a risk.
A few years later, her bother encouraged her to take a painting class in Gastonia with artist Kurt Butler. Though the class was expensive, the experience changed her relationship with painting.
“I felt so thankful that I got to take that class,” shared Harkness.
Today, oil painting is Harkness' favorite medium. She enjoys its buttery texture and the ability to let the paint remain visible on the canvas. Her work often begins with personal photographs, experiences and fleeting moments of light. Chairs are a recurring subject in her paintings.
“Sometimes they have a story,” she said. “They're calling, ‘Come sit here. It's time to rest,’ or, ‘Do you remember the person who used to sit in this chair?’ To me, they are portraits.”
Harkness is less interested in telling viewers exactly what a painting means and more interested in allowing them to create their own interpretation. “I don't want to tell the story of the painting,” she said. “I want them to have their own story.”
That philosophy extends to her approach to artistic rules. Harkness believes rules can provide guidance, but artists eventually need the freedom to break them. “The rule is there to guide people at the beginning, but when you know what you want to do, do it,” she said.
For Harkness, the goal is ultimately simple: paint what she loves. “Try to figure out who you are and not what others want you to be,” she said.
Harkness' work can be found at Centerpiece in Raleigh, Four Corners Framing in Mooresville and Toupe Gallery in Greensboro. More of her work can be found at anneharkness.com.
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