Anne Hudec: 'Innocence'.

This beautiful work by Anne Hudec is a heart stopper.

Anne's work was last featured on May 17, 2010 of the Fredericks Artworks blog and was recently the cover featured artist of Splash 11 and since then she continues to produce works which excite the imagination.

Innocence looks like a classical bronze statue of a figure out of Greek or Roman Mythology. Anne's palette is rich with bronze hues. Her little maid, has her eyes closed and this leads me to wonder what is going on within her interior landscape. Is she dreaming? Is she lost in thought? Her eyes and features are gentle and serenely, beautiful. Her smile is almost beatific and her features are loving.

Anne's point of contrast comes where she presents the smooth round, gentle facial features beneath a crop of chiseled locks. And the permanence and strength of these locks contrast with her flowing cape that lifts in the breeze.

Innocence looks on the surface like a bronzed statue with features that have been immortalized. Anne has captured a sense of timelessness in this world of transience and impermanence.


Artist's Comments:

The creation of this painting came in a most unexpected way, and was the most difficult piece I have ever painted. She came about after a time of great fear, worry, and exhaustion, and was a healing balm that helped give equilibrium to my life again. In 2005 my husband and I made a fabulous trip to the Dolomite Mountains of Northern Italy. The trip was spectacular, encompassing 8-10 hour days of hiking and climbing for an entire month. Upon our return home, my husband – and best friend – displayed flu symptoms which quickly escalated to the news that he had Leukemia. Our world crashed around us, and the reality of our situation seemed an even greater downfall considering how fit and healthy he was just two weeks before.
While my husband lay in Emergency, I went home that afternoon in shock, and packed for an indefinite relocation to Vancouver for his treatment. He was airlifted the next morning with me by his side, and I almost lost him the following day. And so began the struggle of both of our lives to battle this terrible disease in which only half the patients survive. Over the next five months, he fought a lung infection, and a muscle virus that put him into a wheelchair for three weeks. He braved the terrible chemotherapy that wracks your body with nausea and weakness, the bone marrow biopsies and spinal taps, the invasive tests and the blood transfusions. I was with him through almost every minute of his treatment – sleeping in a cot in gown, gloves, mask and goggles while he was in the isolation unit, setting 4 alarm clocks each night to give him round-the-clock pills and nursing him through fevers in our rented apartment when the Leukemia Department was full and the Emergency Ward overflowing. Five months passed and I am proud to say that my husband pulled through the treatment like a Trooper.

By the time we came home, he was so weak that he could not walk up 3 steps without stopping to rest. Life was supposed to become normal again. But – what is normal after such an experience? You realize that life really hangs by a gossamer thread, and your foundation has suddenly crumbled beneath you. It is difficult to trust all is well again, and to start making plans for the future when you have come to concentrate on surviving the day.

I paint to celebrate the joy in my life. My intentions are to express the positive aspects and beauty of the human being, and I hope that I can convey those thoughts to all who view my work. After such an event I needed to regain this joy after feeling like it had been steadily drained from me. I searched through my reference material, and came across the image that is now portrayed in this painting – coincidentally photographed in Paris – the city of love. It called to me; even though she was dark in colouration, her smile was slight and gentle, and her dimpled cheek and down cast eyes were innocent. Innocent of pain and fear, innocent of any cares or worries in the world. Her demeanor called out for me to paint her, yet her beginnings were a struggle to lay down. “Innocence” took several months to complete. Yet that time was healing and well spent, digesting the past, letting go of the fear, and looking forward to a future: a future that has been blessed with a healthy and happy husband by my side, and the inspiration to allow me to share the joys and beauty of life once again through my paintings

Please click here if you wish to see Innocence set in Anne's home surroundings.

Ionic Crown, by Anne Hudec, Victoria, BC.

“Ionic Crown” on the cover of Splash 11, May 2010:
New Directions The Best of Watercolor by North Light Books.

What makes a painting paint itself? Why is it that some materialize seemingly effortlessly before an artists’ eyes, while others seem to fight their way to life? This is a question I am sure that many artists have pondered, as I have myself. Is it the artists’ mind-set of that moment? Or perhaps their life experiences and feelings that are evoked more strongly from a particular motif?

Ionic Crown came about with a deadline - self-imposed I might add – to produce three paintings for a Fine Art Show. I can’t say I am particularly fond of working under time pressure – I much prefer to paint by my own intuition and clock. However, this statue had really beckoned to me from the moment I had photographed her, and she magically manifested herself on my watercolour paper. Unlike other paintings, there seemed to be no decision-making in the process: which method to use, in which order, which colours to accentuate or downplay, which edges to leave hard or to soften. It was as if all the planning had already been decided for me. I felt that I was the holder of the brush, while it worked its own magic.

There is something particular about her that speaks to me, and not just the way the shadows caress her beautiful face. It is her attitude that casts her spell. I see her as a pillar of strength – the way I like to see women evolve after having overcome the challenges that they have faced. The evening light representative of the passage of time she has experienced, the cracks and chips the reminders of her struggles. Her eyes are closed, as if she does not look to the outside world for its approval. Everything that she needs she can find within herself, and therefore she appears empowered, confident, compassionate, and at peace with her evolution. It seems rather fitting that this particular statue is a caryatid – an architectural female support column.

Perhaps these feeling and thoughts that she evoked within me were the reason why she developed in such a magical way, which reminded me of the importance of painting what one finds inspirational.

I was absolutely thrilled when I was informed that Ionic Crown would be included amongst so many talented artists in the Splash 11: New Directions, Best of Watercolour book. I was overwhelmed when I was told she had been chosen for the front cover. And I know, when I eventually hold the book in my hands, I will see her quiet strength, and know the feelings she evoked that inspired her creation.

Anne Hudec

Anne Hudec's Pine Cones, mixed media one of Victoria Art Show's Fall Winners

Anne Hudec, who was profiled on the Fredericks-Artwork Blog, had her painting Pine Cones selected as one of the Victoria Art Society Winners in the Fall Art show.

Please click here to see the other award winning paintings.

Anne Hudec, Victoria BC, Watercolourist

Anne Hudec was born in Kingston, Ontario, the youngest of four children, and only daughter. Being of a military family, she spent her childhood living and travelling across Canada. Although she excelled at art in school, she shelved her creativity to pursue a career in the financial sector.

Upon returning to Victoria in 1988, she met her husband and best friend Alvin, who encouraged her to cultivate her love of art. Travel outside of Canada inspired her to take up photography to capture the fleeting sights she was experiencing during these journeys. Although the photography was satisfying, she felt that some of the images beckoned for a different interpretation. She turned to watercolours to realize this desire.

Anne’s subject matter came naturally to her, as she was repeatedly drawn to the statuary she encountered during her travels, whether they were located in parks, castle gardens, on buildings, bridges or in cemeteries. Her painting style was influenced by her exposure to British watercolourists of the Victorian and Edwardian eras, and the sensitivity, colouration and symbolism portrayed in the works of the Pre-Raphaelites.

Anne enjoys painting in her home studio in Victoria, BC, Canada. In March 2008 she was elected to Signature Status (AFCA) with the Federation of Canadian Artists. She regularly exhibits her paintings through various juried art shows in the region. Her works can be found in collections in Austria, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Germany, Grand Cayman, Italy, Japan and the USA.

Please visit Anne's website:
http://www.annehudec.com/gallery-statuaryintro.asp?p=3

Reminscence by Anne Hudec

Reminiscence by Anne Hudec

For over a century
These Statues have observed
The joys and sorrows of countless individuals
Who have passed beneath them.
They are the silent witnesses
To the struggles of mankind.

When asked why she would choose to paint statues, Anne says:

"My subject matter of 19th century statues is admittedly uncommon. However, over the years I have become even more aware of their haunting beauty. These ubiquitous figures found throughout Europe are seemingly viewed with indifference. They fall victim to the forces of nature, abuse, vandalism and neglect. For me the charm increases with their natural weathering. Covered with a patina, lichen, or moss, their beauty, texture, and colouration are enhanced. My goal is to infuse them with human emotion to create a personal connection with the viewer."

These poignant words can be found before entering Anne's watercolour gallery called 'statuettes', on her website: http://www.annehudec.com/gallery-statuaryintro.asp?p=3