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Question: What is it about your passion for purple, Annie?
Annie: The truth is, I don't know. I have always been attracted to it no matter where I am or what I am doing. I have always worn purple since the 50's. Maybe it was a response to my New England poor Irish upbringing. We kids got one new outfit a year either brown or navy blue. Clothes were very practical in those days. Purple has become my trademark and I always wear purple. In fact, here is an unusual story about my wearing purple. You may be aware that I was the Fire Chief for the town of Bodega between 1979 and 1986, which I loved.
Beginning in 1980, while I was teaching management at SSU, I began teaching at the National Fire Academy in Maryland. It was there at the academy that a long standing tradition was practiced. Every academy instructor was awarded a secret nickname by their students. Usually the faculty member never knew what their nickname was. But one day, this particular class would not stop laughing. This was highly unusual because I was very strict about class conduct and ruled with an iron hand. My students (from all over the world) joined in with this hilarious private joke and they just had to share it with me. It was about their nickname for me. I was named Attila the Grape! And we all howled!
Q: How would you describe your philosophy about your life and how it has unfolded for you?
Annie: My life has been like a crazy quilt. It has evolved as opportunities have presented themselves and it has been all about "the road not taken". I love to travel the route least familiar and most risky. I am available to the unknown and I welcome change and a challenge, especially doing things I have never done before.
Q: Annie, how is it that you are so passionate about painting? Tell me the story.
Annie: For over 50 years, I believed my third grade art teacher who would come in once a week. She would bring in a particular drawing and expect and demand we youngsters copy it exactly. Well, I was and still am a free spirit and I would always do it my way and she would come around the class and would stop at my desk. She'd slap my hand with a ruler every week. This is what she told me, "You'll never, ever, ever do any art at all. You are the worst student I've ever had." The tragedy is that I actually believed her!
Q: Then what happened?
Annie: Around 1985, Terry Dolan McGill, a Valley Ford watercolorist said to me one day, "Annie, let's paint!" That old script from those long past school days came flooding back. But Terry encouraged me with supplies and a spirit of adventure and it got me started.
Basically I am self-taught and that alone has been a huge benefit for me as an artist. It has allowed me to pursue my own style and do art in my own way, which I am still enjoying today.
Q: Before starting to paint, were there other times you felt inspired to do art but shied away from it because of that discouraging prediction?
Annie: Not art in the painting sense, but I have always recognized I have a very strong creative thrust in my life. For instance, I have been writing poetry since early childhood. I've enjoyed writing 100's of articles for professional journals on a wide variety of subjects. I love to dance and sing and my spirit is free.
Q: How did the KRCB TV-22 opportunity present itself?
Annie: This is another example of my response to an unexpected opportunity. I had contributed an original painting to KRCB for one of their fundraising auctions. As I was delivering it, Nancy Dobbs, President/C.E.O. of KRCB, introduced herself and as we chatted I boldly asked her if KRCB had ever considered having a local artist teach live on the station. Her immediate response was, "No, but we should!"
Q: What happened next?
Annie: Within months I found a producer and began fundraising to create a series called, "The Wonders of Watercolor". Phase one: 7 short videos- is now complete and I am trying to raise the capital for the next phase for a 1/2 hour pilot video which will lead to thirteen 1/2 hour programs.
Q: How much money do you need?
Annie: Approximately $10,000, but people need to know that I am not receiving any compensation for creating this teaching video series. All proceeds go to production costs.
Q: Is the station helping you to raise this capital?
Annie: Somewhat, but the station is not a source of capital itself.
Q: What ideas do you have to make this next series unique from the other segments you have already presented?
Annie: I want to explore the use of doing watercolor painting on a variety of unusual surfaces such as Yupo. This is a polypropelene surface which is very exciting to work on. As a matter of fact, I recently painted live (on camera) with Yupo as part of KRCB's airing of The Bob Ross Story. This painting was later auctioned off as a fundraiser for KRCB. As in phase one, all new segments will be plein air in Sonoma County.
Q: Where do you go from here?
Annie: My intent is to continue painting, teaching, learning, experimenting and personifying my mantra which is, " I ASPIRE TO INSPIRE BEFORE I EXPIRE!" We both laughed and I said, "Perfect ending to our interview!"
Conclusion by Paula: Annie and I had our interview on the front porch area of the Artisans' Co-Op Gallery in downtown Bodega. She then offered to drive me up to her property off Joy Road to visit her studio. She explained she needed to drive me because it was steep terrain. I would say so! Annie's studio is in a glorious redwood forest on the edge of her neighbor's sheep ranch. Annie has inspired me in so many ways. Her attitude to just take charge and just l do it has been a jump start for me. I am recharged and exhilarated by my time spent with this unique and colorful friend.
Thank you Annie for sharing your time, your life and experience. I would like to suggest that AWS support "The Wonders of Watercolor". As a viable art club in Sonoma County, AWS would gain excellent visibility as a sponsor on KRCB and would be helping this programing succeed. To see more of Annie's work and video's you may visit her website at www.anniemurphyspringer.com
Sincerely, Paula Pearce
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