Five Beliefs
• I believe there is an artist facet in everyone, and art-making exists in each person uniquely.
• Creativity/artistry thrives in daily life, but some of us are driven to create beyond daily norms or needs.
• Excellence is not necessarily perfection.
• Strengths and weaknesses often exchange places.
• Art should reach everyone.
Approach to art
My approach to art flows out of my beliefs. It has been a revelation to me that we all see so differently. Color, texture and form are seductive. I believe my love of riotous color probably taps my French Canadian roots or the long Vermont winters. The psychology of my 3-D work is usually obvious; I enjoy making tangible expressions of a thought. My photos share the way I see. The 20x30 size of my photographs helps create intimacy and saturates the eye with color. On each photo, my initials & the year are camouflaged; it is often a real challenge to find them.
“Guerilla art” is art for everyone and is rooted in the thought that art-based surprise/fun can provide rich moments in life.
Creative Process
The sculptural pieces and “guerilla art” are more integrated examples of my creativity. They might start with a phrase (“thinking outside of the box”—I never knew there was “a box” till I was 45); a situation (the Buffalo Soldiers Centenary Celebration at Fort Ethan Allen, August 2009); an item (a spool of wire); or an experience (pain). There is no one example that says it all. I love the process.
Sculpture uses many facets of who and how I am in the world.
Ann Laberge
Born in 1946, I was raised in Bridport, VT. Growing up, art class in school was a blank sheet of white paper. With a nursing license behind me, I went to Mass. College of Art, majoring in Industrial Design and hoping to create air-cushioned bedpans etc. Art school gave me a clearer definition of my strengths and a population with whom I fit. Design gave me a vocabulary and tools to define my inner voice. My Artist Statement tries to describe this voice.
Life didn’t play out according to plan. Instead of being an Industrial Designer, I have created a wide array 3-D works (stuff), as well as a strong body of 2-D work, which began as a side road. It was a surprise because I think in 3-D. For the past 25 years, I’vetraveled andshared my glimpses of the world. Exhibiting and selling has let me share my way of seeing.
I enjoy saving the painterly images but find my voice with my hands.