Meet Anne Pell Harkness | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Pell Harkness and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne Pell, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
The end goal is the same as the present goal. I paint what moves me, inviting and trusting God will join me in the joy of painting. These paintings are my offering to a troubled world.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My oil paintings show a contemporary view of ordinary scenes like telephone poles, chairs, and townscenes. Primarily design is what matters most to me. I find a way to communicate these images with the use of lines, which in most cases are due to establishing perspective. Mark making and the application of the paint are also important to me. I am not after the photographic image, but the image in union with the joy of painting with oil paint.

The pieces that excite me most are my chairs series. They are my version of a portrait. Each chair calls for its own interpretation, it’s own mood, color scheme, and type of design. Preferably, these paintings are larger in size so I can do more in more space.

How I got to where I am today is taking one step at a time. Growing and establishing a following is not quick. One needs to nurture their career, feed it, try different tactics, and maybe try a little of everything to see what works best. I decided to paint because I love painting. It is important to me not to do it for the money or for fame, but for the joy and love of painting. My goal is to go as far as I can go as an artist and hope to be appreciated far and wide. This is so not like me to seek this, but I got a breath of fresh air that motivated me to stand up straight and don’t think it’s impossible. So, I am saying ok, I’ll go for it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

We don’t live in Raleigh and I think you want to hear about Raleigh.

We live in Mooresville, NC and my interests are art related. Hope my friends visiting would like to see the art scene!
A boat ride to dinner or lunch at Toucan’s or Apps & Tapps would be some good eating with a lake view. A walk around Mooresville downtown and to see a few galleries, like Mooresville Arts and Four Corners Framing with dinner at Epic Chophouse would be next. Then, we’d visit Statesville, to see Lee Dellinger Fine Art, and dinner at 220 Cafe.

Another day we would be on to Davidson, to walk it’s quaint streets and shop. Then lunch at The Pickled Peach and dinner at Brickhouse Tavern. A day or two later, we would be off to Charlotte to see their galleries, Providence Gallery, Shain Gallery, Elder Gallery, Anne Neilson Gallery and others, with a trip to the Mint Museum uptown. Then finally, another day, we would be off to NODA for sidewalk shopping and lunch at Cabo Fish Taco.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Many people have encouraged me and cheered me on. My husband deserves the most credit, for loving me, wanting the best for me, and believing I am walking in the path that all previous paths have lead to. My mom, an artist herself, always knew being an artist was what I should be. Marian Harkness, River Life Fellowship, Grace Life Ministries, and countless friends have lifted up prayers for me. Artist & instructor, Curt Butler, mentored me as I first set out as an oil painter. His believing in me opened the door to believe beyond what I could imagine. And primarily, I thank my God for seeing a wreck and taking the challenge to make something light of a dark story.

Website: https://www.anneharkness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annephark/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annepharkness?ref=tn_tnmn

Tiktok: @annepharkness

Image Credits
Anne Harkness