“Art is my passion; that is how I share my love with the world!” – Anne-Marie Mulligan.
WAS THERE A PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN YOU DECIDED TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH AS AN ARTIST?
In the 7th grade, my mother allowed me to try painting with her oil paints. I always remember that little 5×7 inch painting on canvas and how it felt to paint it, and I knew then I wanted more! I fell in love with art and wanted to be an artist!
“Westcoast 5” Oil On Panel, 16″x16″ by Anne-Marie Mulligan.
CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORK FOR US?
My paintings are representative and a compilation of everything I’ve seen and experienced in my life to that point in time. I paint mostly seascapes and landscapes because I love the wind, water, sky, and sand (land). I am fascinated with light and how it plays in and around the changing atmosphere in the sky and makes the water appear alive!
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
The land, the sea, and the sky are the natural elements of our Earth that capture my attention and fascinate me. I am in awe of the beauty in the world surrounding me: serenity, peace, beauty, calmness, color, texture, and light! My life is an ever-changing journey of self-discovery, and my paintings are an expression of my love.
HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR WORK FITS WITHIN SOCIETY IN OUR PRESENT TIME?
I endeavor to convey feeling and mood through my paintings, and people often remark on my work’s “ethereal” quality. They tell me they experience a profound sense of peace and well-being upon viewing my paintings. This is what the world desperately needs at this time: a time to reflect and approach living with a sense of peace, love, and joy!
I believe the world is taking a deeper look into our existence, and this is what we are all searching for.
WHEN LOOKING BACK, WHAT ARTWORKS COME TO MIND THAT MOST RELATE TO YOUR LIFE STORY?
I’ve lived in the mountains and on or near water all my life. The mountain paintings allowed my spirit to soar and expand while living on or near water cleanses my spirit and soul. As a result, I paint mostly seascapes and landscapes. These are what feed my soul.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
The work of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists, Monet, Degas, Renoir, and Seurat, the Canadian Group of Seven artists (especially Tom Thomson), the fantastic color fields of Mark Rothko, and the work of talented colorist Wolf Kahn, the amazing paintings of JMW Turner, Canadian watercolorist, Toni Onley, the beautiful oils of Prussian-Canadian, H.E. Kuckein, American artist Ken Elliot, Italian painter, Marco Klee Fallani and Dutch-American artist, Luc Leestemaker, all, whose amazing landscapes and seascapes, have had such an impact and influence on my work.
“Essence 12” Oil On Panel, 16″x16″ by Anne-Marie Mulligan.
“Soul Fire 6” Oil On Panel, 12″x12″ by Anne-Marie Mulligan.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?
I always make these same decisions before I start another new painting: What size of panel or stretched canvas will I use, what colors will I choose; if I want to listen to music as I paint, and what type of music I choose that day, and, then I ask for Angelic, creative guidance. Then, I let go completely, empty my mind, and let the “innate knowingness” take over and allow that most profound part of me to flow . . . and miracles happen! The painting reveals itself to me as I paint. I become the conduit through which creation occurs. It is a feeling of freedom, love, and joy that words cannot adequately express.
WHAT VISUAL REFERENCES DO YOU DRAW UPON IN YOUR WORK?
All the information and everything that I have consciously or unconsciously stored in my brain over the days, months, and years come into existence as I require it in the painting process, and through this amazing act of creation, I share my love with the world.
“Soul Fire 10” Oil On Canvas, 18″x18″ by Anne-Marie Mulligan.
I am presently working with a website designer on my new website at www.ammulligan.com and anyone who wishes to purchase my work will be able to do so from my new site when it is fully active in the next few weeks.
My work is also being published again in ATIM’s Top 60 Masters of Contemporary Art in 2023
