Today we’d like to introduce you to Annelies Dykgraaf.
Hi Annelies, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Since childhood, I have been making marks, doodling, drawing, coloring, and painting, progressing and experiencing over the years. I grew up as a Missionary Kid in Nigeria, West Africa, then went to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI, graduating with a BFA in 1991. I also studied in France through the Cleveland Institute of Art in Lacoste, now run by SCAD. My concentration now is in relief printmaking. I am honored to be a part of the permanent collection at the Appleton Museum of Art in Ocala, FL, and the Thomas G. Carpenter Collection at UNF. I am a founding member of the Art Center Cooperative, Inc., which has operated since 2005 with an existing gallery at 320 East Adams St. Downtown.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
The compassion of doing your art and creating your vision needs to stay true to you. The struggle comes in the art business and making that your sole profession as an income source. Making that reliable and sustainable is a 24-hour job of finding the right market for your work, galleries, exhibits, website, social media, commissions, and clients.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Please check out my website for more work and learn more about me. https://www.anneliesdykgraaf.com/ There is an interview by the Appleton Museum from October 2020 that explains my work. My art mainly depicts people – the vast and unique personalities and relationships; and also tells stories of my 18 years in Nigeria and the uniting of cultures/races. Often incorporated into my reliefs are drawing motifs from the tradition of wood carvings, textile patterns, uli motifs, and symbols from various West African tribal folk tales/myths. The lizard is often seen tattooed down the middle of the forehead among the Avadi people who live in Niger State. It represents good luck through a protective spirit, fertility symbol, household tranquility, bounty, and wisdom (Ibo, Dogon, Barnum, Babanki, Avadi, and Egyptian cultures). You will see a lizard in most of my woodcuts. I am honored to have been exposed to many different cultures growing up. I am blessed with very supportive parents in my art endeavors, and I have a vast community of artist friends here. I am proud to be part of a museum collection.
Please talk to us about happiness and what makes you happy.
Being blessed with a new day makes me happy. I am rooted in faith—the love of family and friends. I work in my yard and go for walks. Vacations. Reunions with my classmates from Nigeria. Freedom of expression. The ability to create and not be prohibited to do so. Starting and finishing a painting or woodcut/linocut. Recognition in an exhibit. A monetary award. An art sale. Acts of service, particularly mural outreaches, that the Art Center has done in numerous schools.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies on size, detail, time, cost of materials
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anneliesdykgraaf.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anneliesdykgraaf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneliesDykgraaf4Art
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anneliesdykgraaf8226
- Other: https://www.jacksonvilleartistsguild.org/annelies-dykgraaf.html
