about

Artist’s Statement

Artist-in-residence

Ann Chaitin was born in Montreal, Quebec, and grew up in Arizona. Upon graduating with honors from the University of Arizona with a BA in Art degree (painting major/art history minor), she went on to UCLA Graduate School for a Secondary Credential in Art/Education. Chaitin worked for Los Angeles City Schools as an illustrator, and subsequently as a junior high school studio art teacher. She continued teaching at that level in the Boston area, and at her long time position on the Visual Arts Faculty at La Jolla Country Day School.  Throughout that time, studio work remained a vital part of her life and career.

Mixed media lends itself to working with varied textures and multiple layers, thus becoming a metaphor for the diversity and complexity of our own lives.  The relationship of art and memory has been central in my work, and the images comprise a series of reflections and connections with people and places, culled from the past and looking toward the future. For me, various natural objects often bring to mind a moment in time, and speak to me of the timeless, elemental nature of home. Our connection to the world around us, the places we seek as touchstones, those that remind us of the glory of nature and the peace of untouched spaces, is an underlying element in my mixed media pieces.  Current work with a variety of handmade papers, paint, and found objects strives to express a subtle, harmonious richness that indicates depth, without sacrificing an underlying simplicity, exploring the use of these layers and textures to express the ever-changing nature of personal landscape.

I was fortunate to be named an Artist in Residence at Cabrillo National Monument  for a year and a half, from 8/2015-12/2016.  This amazing site here in San Diego at the tip of Point Loma can focus upon early California history,  World War II/military narrative, native American life, geology, oceanography, climate, and coastal environments. Whether you visit the tide pools, or the lighthouse, or view films in the visitors' center, or hike the trails, a visit to Cabrillo is filled with wonder.  During that time, I was given a studio space on the bluffs along the Bayside Trail in a "bunker" that once housed the electrical generator for a searchlight during World War II.  My "job" was to create my personal visual responses to this monumental space, and, in addition, be available for outreach with visitors or school groups who want to add an art experience to their exploration of the park. This gave me opportunities to apply both my art and teaching backgrounds. I am so grateful to the National Park Service.

Thanks for visiting.