Old City Life Magazine – The Anonymous Society of Artists

Old City Life “Florida’s Historic Coast Magazine” Volume 6/Issue 6/August 2012 page 51

Expression

The Anonymous Society of Artists

Inspired by the Paris artist revolution in the 1870s, three Saint Augustine artists have committed to a standing Sunday morning appointment. What started in mid May of 2011 as two parallel groups now consists of the trio at every session and includes anyone else who shows up. They gather for about 2 or 3 hours. Like a jam session, the band of artists have come to make art happen.

(Artist A)
As one of the founders of the Anonymous Society of Artists, she continues to nurture and encourage artists in her arena. Motivated by friendly art professionals and weekend painters, she embraces a casual attitude to networking. Comfortable on the fringe, but never interested in being isolated she actively shares ideas to strike and spark the creative process. Acrylic paint is her preferred medium.

“With so many artists needing to have overhead, we were financially challenged. We thought why don’t we just support each other and just start doing stuff? Maybe collectively, as a group, we don’t need walls. The group started off very presentation based abut eventually it became too structured. We wanted to be more interactive. You have to take in account what every artist wants to do. Professional artists float in and float out but they also contribute meaningful input. They seem to fall into a helpful mode. We all have a different perspective on the group, but someone who just shows up and does the work is a member. That’s our rule, “Are you here? Congratulations you’re a member.”

(Artist B)
Growing up on the Jersey Shore, his inspiration came from cartoons, comic strips and toys. Drawing was carefree, playful exercise. He located to northeast Florida to telecommute for an e-commerce start up. Over the past decade, he continues to work locally in the field of information technology. The birth of a first child revived his long-held dream of becoming a professional artist. His first commission as a muralist came in 2011 and began exhibiting artwork this year.

“I spent 10 years out of art school not really producing art. I would sketch for enjoyment, as a hobby, but I thought I should get back to the point where I should start making art again. I miss the comradery that I had at art school. I wanted to connect with other artists in the town and I really hadn’t. I found that some of the institution seemed a little bit stuffy; they were for the established artist. And me, I was not the established. I put an ad on Craigslist. There were times when I was sitting at a table by myself and other times where we needed a bigger space. I’ve had great opportunities and met great people just by saying “Yeah, I’m going to show up.”

(Artist C)
Stood-arm raised and stated, “I don’t see enough new technology. That’s my passion. If Van Gogh or Renoir came back today they’d say, “What have you been doing? You’re still smearing burnt sticks and crushed berried on cloth. You got all this great technology for music where is the art technology?”

He paints on this iPad, but brings a pencil and sketchpad to the sessions. “You have got to stay anchored in the classics, something I’ve worked on. I spent years being an artist. It’s like a musician, you can leave room for experimentation, but you really need to know how to play in tune. Break out of paper-break out of paint.”

Trained as a fine artist and illustrator, he was part of the national sales team that introduced the Macintosh personal computer. At Apple, he developed expertise in the technical, marketing and management areas of the computer industry to compliment his experience in the arts.

(Artist A)
“Our incentive this year has been to show more. Knowing that your work is going to be publicly displayed is a lot different from having a friendly caring environment. If you really want to sell something, it has to appeal to the public. We spent a year of ‘getting it together.’ So, this is the year of shows, the year of being out there. Producing more, meeting more artists. It is still very organic. As we think of new ideas we just try to implement them.”

Visit their website at anonartists.com to find out more and learn who these artists truly are. Better yet, break out a brush and join them. Here is where you will find them.

Future Locations Sundays 9 a.m.

7/22/2012 First Southern Bank Parking Lot
7/29/2012 First Southern Bank Parking Lot
8/5/2012 Castillo de San Marcos
8/12/2012 Castillo de San Marcos
8/19/2012 City Gates
8/26/2012 City Gates

Volume 6/Issue6 * oldcitylife.com