ARTIST STATEMENTS

I am a storyteller. Indeed, I believe that the women in our culture are the primary custodians of family stories. Many of my images end up in handmade books, some with words, some without words.

Throughout my 40 years in photography, I have discovered the value of an intimate support group for pushing one’s creativity and nurturing the expression of one’s deepest emotions. The five women in Salon Jane are my artist family. They are a valuable source of encouragement and inspiration.

BIO

Anna graduated from Stanford University with a BA in History in 1966. She studied black and white photography and mixed media at Monterey Peninsula College with Henry Gilpin, Roger Fremier, and Don Anderson, and color photography and printing at University of California Santa Cruz with Jack Fulton. Anna has taken private classes with many noted photographers including David Bayles, Ruth Bernhard, Martha Casanave, Lisl Dennis, Tom Millea, and Ted Orland.

EXHIBITIONS

  • Salon Jane Celebrates Ten Years! Photography Reimagined, Cherry Center for the Arts, Carmel, CA, 2024

  • Salon Jane: Present Tense, Center for Photographic Art, Carmel, CA, 2021

  • Celebrating Women Artists with Salon Jane, Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA, 2020

  • Salon Jane: The Ethereal Zone, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey, CA, 2018

  • Independent Presence Invitational Exhibition, Art Intersection, Gilbert, AZ, 2017 

  • Independent Presence Invitational, West End Celebration, Sand City, CA, 2016

  • Independent Presence, Green Chalk Contemporary Gallery, Monterey, CA, 2015

  • Two Mothers Remembered, Pacific Grove Art Center, Pacific Grove, CA, 2000


Salon Jane: Present Tense

Center for Photographic Art
February 20 - April 3, 2021

In the stillness of the 2020 stay-at-home order, I turned my attention to an old box of letters sent to me from my beloved brother, Peter, during his ten years in prison. Re-reading these carefully written papers inspired two artists books.

The first volume, The Baker, captures my personal recollections of my older brother and how our relationship – from milking cows to dancing to Elvis as kids - evolved through time.

The second volume, Prison, showcases Peter’s observations during the darkest time of his life. Despite being beaten and thrown in “the hole,” Peter became respected as the baker who created culinary magic for hundreds of men.

Three important aspects of Peter’s life story have emerged – an insider’s view of the federal prison system; an inspirational tale of resiliency; and the power of love to be a beacon of hope.


Salon Jane: The Ethereal Zone

Monterey Museum of Art
September 20 - November 26, 2018

Handmade books are my favorite art form for my stories. Currently, I am using members of my family of origin as my primary source material. The images and words in this exhibition are part of a series that explores the life of my mother, Marguriette, my father, Perry, and their influence on me and on others.

Examining the humor and pathos of the human condition is my abiding interest. By creating handmade books, I invite viewers to hold my questions in their hand and reflect on their own experience.


My Hero

Art Intersection Gallery
January 14 - February 25, 2017

My mother was my hero. She was a shining example of unwavering strength, love, and remarkable wisdom. She raised six children, was married to our father for fifty years, and was the primary breadwinner for our family of eight.

This exhibition is a tribute to my mother, the “unsung hero.” I used a variety of photographic media and poetry ranging from whimsical to somber in an attempt to reveal her life with honesty and honor it with sensitivity.

My passion to create art celebrating my mom, a relatively unknown woman, was originally intended as a record of her story for her grandchildren. I ultimately decided to be brave and share a private life with the public. I hope it encourages others to honor their loved ones.