Meet Anne Schroeder | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Playing outside like a little kid. Whether its beach combing for treasures, hiking or snorkeling, it recharges my creativity.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I paint on feathers. I love how the colors and patterns of the feathers enhance the creatures I paint on them. After I’m done painting, I then combine found objects such as shells, driftwood and bones with the pieces into a dimensional shadowbox piece. Ive never run across anyone creating feather art like mine, and that is very cool to realize.

One Amazing thing was that I was chosen by Christian Louboutin to create 3 large feather collages for the grand opening of his store in the Miami Design District. While i didn’t get to go to the party, i was mentioned in the article posted by the Miami Herald. My art still adorns his boutique.

I recently won Best In Show at Images art Festival in New Smyrna. They are a prestigious art show that is ranked in the top 10 of the nation. I nearly fainted when they called my name.LOL

I had to cancel my next 3 shows because I nearly sold out of work. At my next show: Fairhope Art festival (another prestigious show), I took the Foundation Award. It turned out to be only one step behind best in show. Again, I was felt honored and humbled to be recognized for my work.

It was not easy and it is a constant challenge to keep up with creating art for shows, galleries and commissions. Everyday i have to start with a list of priorities to try to keep me on track. Ive reached the point, (if not the income to support it) where i really need help. Marketing is my nightmare, I hate social media as it breaks my ability to focus.

Ive learned that to really excel as an artist, you truly need a partner (spouse or family member) who can take care of the banal and time destroying, day to day paperwork that all businesses suffer from.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, neither me nor my friends are the social scene kind of people. Our idea of a wild time is going exploring through the mangroves, visiting Fairchild tropical garden, and scrounging great food at little hole in the wall places and food trucks. Other highlights would be snorkeling in Key Biscayne National park, exploring Stiltsville, and trekking out to Flamingo or Chokoloskee. My art celebrates nature and that is where myself and my friends find joy and fun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I had an incredibly supportive high school art teacher and many art mentors through the local Purple Isles Art Guild. They made sure I was kept in art supplies as my folks couldn’t afford them. In my thirties, a book by Julie Cameron, “The Artists Way” reignited my creativity and that’s when working with feathers hit. My good friend and talented artist, Kim Workman, encouraged me to do art shows. She gave me advice and moral support and still does to this day. With that strong support I quit working a “Real Job” and have been doing art shows for 17 years. Also a big shout-out to CERF. They are an organization that helps artists rebuild their lives after disasters. CERF provided me a generous grant that helped me put my life back together after Irma flooded me out.

Website: www.annesfeatherart.com

Instagram: annesfeatherart

Facebook: Anne’s Feather Art & Painting