Four Inane Questions with landscape painter Anne Garney
Photo Courtesy of Anne Garney
As the renowned Plaza Art Fair looms this weekend, Kansas City artist Anne Garney is ready to meet her adoring public. The landscape painter is one of only a handful of local artists who will debut their handiwork at the event. “I’m very excited and looking forward to my first time participating in the Plaza Art Fair,” she says.
Garney tells us she’s become well known for painting with vibrant, pure color, which has become her distinctive style. She adds her colorful paintings are a celebration of life. “They convey the joyful experience of painting outside in beautiful Kansas City settings and on my travels,” she says.
She finds herself in good company this year alongside around 25 other metro artists who will be displaying their creative wares. “Find me in booth #133 near Season 52 Restaurant,” she says.
We caught up with the artist as she was putting some finishing touches on some new art to unveil to the masses starting on Friday. Also, color us a fan of paint fumes. Bless.
The Pitch: Living or dead, name one artist you’d kill to have dinner with.
Anne Garney: Gabrielle Munter (1877-1962). I admire her colorful paintings, plus she lived in interesting times. She was a German Expressionist painter and was at the forefront of the Munich avant-garde in the early 20 century. She lived for a time in Paris and America. Also, she studied and lived with the painter Wassily Kandinsky and was a founding member of the expressionist group Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider).
You can ban one candle scent. What is it?
All scents named after foods should be banned. Actually, I’m not a fan of most perfumes, colognes, or even scented candles. I rented an Airbnb in Estes Park recently and the air-freshener smell was awful. I opened all the doors and windows to air the place out.
Photo Courtesy of Anne Garney
What’s the best piece of artistic advice you’ve ever received?
Paint. Every. Day. It’s easier to say than to do. But your artistic skills will improve if you practice your art every day. Your eye, your proportions, your brushstrokes, and all aspects of your paintings will all reflect that consistent practice.
You can pick any celebrity to leave your outgoing voicemail message. Who you choosin’?
Brad Pitt with a short and sweet message: “Anne’s unavailable, and she’ll call you back soon.” (Seriously though—nothing’s going on. We’re just friends.)
Bonus 5th Question: What one song would folks be appalled to know you secretly—and unabashedly—enjoy?
This is a tough question. I don’t listen to any music that I’m embarrassed to say that I listen to. When I’m painting, I’m listening to a selected playlist of 3,000 songs on my iPhone, which I set to shuffle. Those artists include—but aren’t limited to—Calexico, Koffee, SOJA, Stick Figure, Burning Spear, Kizzy, Jack White, Arise Roots, The Kills, The Beatles, Bob Marley, John Doe, Dennis Brown, Nina Simone, The Movement, Quiles & Cloud, Wilco, Making Movies, and Expassionates.
