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ANN D. CROGHAN
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| Featured in Art Saint Louis' virtual gallery exhibit, “Humanity” (October 1-December 1, 2021): Ann Croghan, St. Charles, MO. “Candles of the Night.” 2020. Acrylic on Canvas, 28”x40”. $2,800 unframed. Artist’s statement: “My paintings are a reflection or interpretation of "the life force." The One who created us and the One who will receive us at the end of life. I see God's grace and mercy in the light after a storm. I see the light in my paintings as God's beckoning to Heaven.” |
Allison Carnell: What about the theme “Humanity” drew you to the show?
Ann D. Croghan: The topic included “life force” as part of the description and I feel my artwork represents my interpretation of the life force which I choose to call God.
AC: How do your abstract paintings depict the theme “Humanity”?
ADC: Our human experience also includes our spiritual life. I draw inspiration from nature, clouds, and the universe to express feelings of joy, peace, divine grace, and hope. I see God in the sky. When looking at the sky after a storm I see the light that comes through the clouds as God’s Grace – my paintings reflect the life force that gives us this grace and calls us in the end.
AC: What drew you to abstraction? How did you develop this style?
ADC: As an undergraduate student going to the Saint Louis Art Museum and seeing the abstract art, I was interested in what made that “art.” When I asked the professor, he explained it was about the art concepts of composition, unity, rhythm, space, line, shape, color, and depth that create a painting. I wanted to understand this more so I started exploring this with realism, but I knew I could paint realistically so I chose to paint in abstraction because it is more challenging to get the answer to my question of God and who is God.
AC: How does your fascination with color work to express the themes in your art?
ADC: I’ve loved colors since I was a small child using Crayola’s wondering about the difference in blue/green and green/blue or red/orange and orange/red. I use color today to express the sublime feelings of joy, peace, divine grace, and hope. The light is always God in my paintings. I use the light in contrast with the darker colors but even within the darkest areas of my paintings there is a sense of hope within the light and colors.
AC: What first prompted you to explore your relationship with God through art?
ADC: I didn’t consciously start off thinking I would paint my relationship with God. It’s something that has developed over time. As my relationship with God grew, it started to appear more and more in my work.
I am an intuitive painter. I say a prayer before I begin a painting, and while I paint, I ask for guidance.
AC: How do you want the viewer to interpret your art and do you have trouble achieving this desired interpretation?
ADC: I want my paintings to captivate the viewer in a positive way and to help them feel closer to the heavens. My abstract paintings are often described as ethereal and emotionally evocative.
AC: Has your teaching career hindered or set back your art practice?
ADC: My teaching career has not hindered my art. Teaching has allowed me to explore many different mediums, allowing me to experiment with different painting and drawing techniques. I experiment with the various mediums to help direct and encourage my students in the style and techniques they want to pursue. I can then return to work in my own style. It feels like the best of two worlds – I get to paint like me and explore other styles at the same time.
Learn more about Ann D. Croghan: www.anndcroghanart.com/ and www.instagram.com/anncroghanart/ and www.facebook.com/ann.croghan.9
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Allison Carnell is Art Saint Louis' Fall 2021 Intern and is a senior at McKendree University, Lebanon, IL.
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