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Annie Onderdonk – bio

Pieces in Current Exhibit

I grew up in the Chicago area, a city where you are surrounded by art all the time. While working full-time I enrolled at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and took two semesters in the mid 1980’s.

When I left Chicago for Albuquerque in 1987, I started a full-time career making jewelry and got sales reps at the Denver Merchandise Mart who sold my work throughout the West and Southwest. I am a perpetual student and through the 33 years I have been in New Mexico I’ve taken classes in everything from silversmithing to enameling, to polymer clay, printmaking and mixed media. I taught collage and mixed media locally for several years. It wasn’t until 4 years ago when I took an abstract painting class at Studio J here in town that the world of painting opened up to me.

I have participated in a handful of shows including three at Studio J, a three person show there as well as shown at Seasons Restaurant in Old Town and the 2019 Alameda Studio Tour. I have had my jewelry at Sumner Dene Gallery and at the Corrales Bosque Gallery.

Artist Statement

The older I get, the more chances I take. It is as if I realize that the worst that could happen is that I fail. And I have failed enough to know that I will survive it and, if I’m diligent, I will learn valuable lessons, including how to turn a “failure” into a “success”. I have been painting for quite a few years and am still learning that my mistakes sometimes make the piece more relatable and interesting. I have learned that perfectionism is highly overrated. No matter how large or small, each painting is an adventure at the start. I never know where it will take me and the mystery of it all hooks me into it. Along the way I may experience wanting to control the painting until I realize that letting go and going with the painting is the way it works best for me. Fear is that first emotion of finding myself in front of a blank canvas. That first definite gesture of color frees me up. Doubt is scattered throughout the working of the piece when I get stuck. Patience and diligence gets me through that, sometimes by trying new techniques. Acceptance is making peace with the work, knowing I can always improve but that, for where I am today, the piece works and I can say it is worthy.