Anne-Marie Harvey's artistic journey is nothing short of exhilarating! For 23 years, she honed her craft as a self-taught artist, painting the rugged landscapes of northern British Columbia and the Yukon in oils. Living in a remote area accessible only by bush plane, Anne-Marie and her artist husband raised their three children amidst the dynamic and inspiring northern wilderness, where the transformative light became her greatest teacher.
In 1984, Anne-Marie embarked on a new chapter, moving to the west coast and diving into the world of watercolors. This medium presented a new and exciting challenge, one that Anne-Marie embraced with fervor. Over time, she mastered watercolors, leading to success and recognition through numerous solo and group exhibitions.
Anne-Marie's artistic journey continued to evolve as she transitioned to acrylics and eventually to mixed media, which captivated her creativity for a significant period. Recently, she has revisited her roots, picking up her oil paints once more, reigniting her passion for this classic medium. Now, she delights in painting the Okanagan landscape with a fresh perspective, blending old techniques with new and liberating approaches learned from her experience with watercolors and acrylics.
Not only skilled in landscapes, but Anne-Marie's talent also extends to painting people. Her ability to capture the essence of her subjects won her acclaim, including being selected as the cover artist and illustrator for the Advocate, a law magazine for B.C. and the Yukon. Her cover portraits, created with a single interview, expertly capture the spirit of each individual, showcasing her exceptional talent.
While Anne-Marie teaches part-time for the Federation of Canadian Artists, her true passion lies in painting, where she continuously strives to express her love for simplicity and color. In 2006, Anne-Marie and her husband Chris realized a dream, purchasing land on the Naramata Bench in the Okanagan. Here, they planted Riesling grapes, built a beautiful home, and a bright new studio for Anne-Marie, where they now live, create, make music, and of course, enjoy the fruits of their labor, living happily ever after in their own piece of paradise.