Where ART Lives Magazine Volume 1 Number 6 | Page 38

Annie O' Brien Gonzales
October 2015
When did you realize you loved art and wanted to be ‘an artist’?
I have always loved drawing and painting. I used to illustrate my science reports in school. When
I was very young, I sent a sample drawing to the “Famous Artists School” which was advertised
in the back of comic books. But when I started college the emphasis was on studying something
with job potential so I went in the science direction. Later on, I had the chance to go back to art
school so I’ve been trying to get where I am my whole life.
Who has been the greatest influence from your past to mentor you to this career?
My family gives me a lot of support for my artistic adventures. I have a very large extended family and there are now several of us of have picked up painting after careers in other areas. I’m
very appreciative of the unconditional support from them, I’m very lucky.
Who is your mentor today, or another artist you admire and why?
In the last few years, I have worked with Katherine Chang Liu, an amazing artist from California
who is my inspiration.
What is your favorite surface to paint on? Describe it if you make it yourself.
I work canvas for smaller pieces and on hardboard panels for larger ones.
What brand of paints do you use?
I enjoy working in both oils and acrylics depending on the
subject matter and my mood. For oils my preference is
Gamblin and for acrylics I use Golden.

www.annieobriengonzales.com
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