Ann Harwell

Wendell, NC

My Father and Grandfather were Methodist Ministers. Growing up in the NC mountains, I sat through hundreds of sermons and looked at the world through a lot of stained glass.The messages in those sermons sometimes altered my thinking in the opposite direction. So, here I am making art that resembles the fractals of stained glass, wanting to preach a sermon and longing to create something with meaning. No art education is in my resume. Having sewn since Santa Claus brought me a sewing machine at age 5, I have worked in or managed the alterations departments and made clothes and quilts in my home. In 1999 my work was juried into Artspace in Raleigh and I became a full-time artist in an open studio. I moved my studio home in 2012. In 2017 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, however with medication, exercise and deep brain surgery my symptoms are not oppressive. However, I now have macular degeneration. A profound sense of urgency drives me to work harder and longer.

Artist Website

www.annharwell.com