ANNETTE NIELSEN

Artist Biography

My Parents emigrated from Denmark with my three siblings in 1957, and I was born in Calgary in 1958. Our family worked as farm hands at various places between Calgary and Drumheller until my father became self - employed in Construction. We moved to Calgary where I took Art classes in High School in the 70's. High School Art classes were poorly supplied in the 70’s and were not more advanced beyond pencils and paper. When I was in Grade 12 my oldest brother took notice of my drawing and bought me an oil painting starter kit. I began mixing and spreading paint on canvas and I was hooked!

After High School my practical parents, insisting that "Artists don't make money", told me to get technical training in Accounting and Business Management. I did.

After marrying and having children I continued with my art experimenting in pen and ink, oils and watercolor. I bought a camera and dabbled in photography and One-Hour Labs in the 80's. Then I bought a computer and experimented with Dos and the limited graphics available at the time. 

I moved on to work in the business side of Land Survey and  then Architecture. In the architectural world of Macintosh, I discovered computer graphics and I continued to experiment with computer graphics and digital photography. Doing computer renderings, logos, signs, advertisements, and more, I moved into Coordination of Land Development and housing,  where I sat for 15 years using these various skills to build residential subdivisions full of housing, parks and various amenities.  I suppose my creative ability was a bonus for the companies I worked for, and my bosses loved to give me the opportunity to use the skills.

As a single parent working to support three girls during the 90’s, my painting was sporadic. Now the children are grown and I’ve escaped the metropolis of Calgary for the scenery, pace and affordability of Drumheller. Now, I paint, draw, take photos, and do computer graphics whenever I get the chance. I guess you could say that what I lack in technical training, I made up for in art Diversity.

Artist Statement

I believe there is Creativity and Art in many forms, but not all forms are creative, nor are they Art.