Ambassador of the Week: Anne Hightower-Patterson

Meet Anne Hightower-Patterson , this week’s top American Watercolor Weekly Ambassador!

watercolor figure painting
“Contemplation”
While visiting Havana, Cuba in 2017, we came upon this young man sitting on a sunlit piazza immersed in writing in a journal. I was immediately drawn to the warmth of the light creating shadows across his face and bouncing off of his dreadlocks. I quickly took a few photos without his notice. Upon my return home, I created this painting in my studio.

A native of South Carolina, Anne is now ending her fifth decade of creating art. At the age of 12, her school system provided the opportunity for art classes. It was the first step awakening that artist in her. Under the tutelage of her high school teacher, Virginia Fouche Bolton, she found her lifelong love and passion for making art.

In 1972, Anne graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BFA in studio art. In 1975 she earned a Master’s Degree in education also from USC. In 2002 she retired after working 29 years in the public-school system, Anne now paints full time in her studio and teaches classes and workshops in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast. Her background as an artist and experience as an educator has enabled her to be a highly popular instructor in watercolor.

Her work was featured in Splash 16, 17 and 18 The Best of Watercolor in 2015, 2016 and 2017. Her painting “Fishermen’s Tales” was featured in the April 2016 issue of Watercolor Magazine as a part of their Watercolor Showcase. This is the second time her work has been featured in their Watercolor Showcase.

In 2016, she was selected by Watercolor Magazine as one of 10 artists selected nationally in the annual feature as “Ones to Watch”. This article highlights 10 emerging watercolor artists across the United States. To be considered for this award, the artist must be nominated by a Master Artist chosen by the magazine.

watercolor figure painting
“Miss Emily III”
Created in gouache on black watercolor paper, Emily Meggett of Edisto Island, SC is an icon of her community. Her historic family cabin has been acquired by the Smithsonian and reconstructed there. She has authored a cookbook of her southern recipes. I was lucky enough to meet and photograph her. She is one of my favorite subjects to paint.

Signature Memberships: SC Watermedia Society, Watercolor Society of Alabama, Mississippi Watercolor Society, Georgia Watercolor Society, Louisiana Watercolor Society, and the prestigious Rocky Mountain National Watercolor group.

Associate Memberships: American Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society, Transparent Watercolor Society

In 2005 she received the Fine Art Spirit Achievement Award from the SC State Fair. (For 21 years, the South Carolina State Fair named annually an individual who had notably contributed to the arts of South Carolina. Each merit award given annually is named after a South Carolina State Fair Fine Art Spirit Achievement Award winner. No one can apply for this award. It is selected by a committee based on the recipient’s involvement in the community.)

watercolor figure painting
“Light Reading”
My friend Sue volunteered to help me with an outdoor show in Charleston, SC. One day during a slow period, she took advantage of the warm sunshine to read a magazine. I looked up and saw her sitting in the brilliant light and saw a great subject to paint!

She served on the Board of the South Carolina Watermedia Society from 1987 until 2009.

In 2018 she served as President of the South Carolina Watermedia Society and served on the board as past president in 2019.

She currently serves on the Board of Create Newberry which is a supporting foundation for the Newberry Art Center.

Publications: Splash 16, 17 and 18; Watercolor Artist Magazine Article August 2017; Watercolor Showcase Selection 2011, 2016

Anne is one of 10 artists who is featured in the upcoming book: Her Voice: Contemporary Watermedia Masters Speak, By Laurie Goldstein-Warren.

Represented by: The Carpenter Gallery, Newberry, SC
The Newberry Art Center

 


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