Embarking on a creative journey often involves twists and turns, and for Anette, a graphic designer turned artist, it's been a path of rediscovery and newfound inspiration. From her early days studying fashion design to her transition into graphic design, Anette's passion for art has always been a driving force in her life. However, after nearly three decades of suppressing her artistic inclinations, she found herself at a crossroads, yearning to reignite the creative flame that had long been dormant. In this interview, Anette shares her remarkable journey of overcoming obstacles, pursuing her passions, and finding fulfillment in her art.
Can you share a bit about your personal journey as an artist and graphic designer?
I started my education, after compulsory school, by studying fashion design and the plan was to become a fashion designer. Form, color, fabric, aesthetics as well as art history, architecture have always appealed to me. I spent much of my weekends and holidays with my grandparents during my childhood. And like probably most kids, I loved dressing up and wearing my grandma's fur coats, booties and fancy hats – I just loved stepping into this world of imagination and creativity. I was educated in Norway at a time when you had to choose a specific profession. I also considered silversmithing or architecture school – I guess the common denominator is that they are creative and aesthetic crafts. I wanted an education where I could use and develop my creative skills. I spent two years in fashion design before I realised that this might not be quite what I expected – but one of the subjects I particularly liked – namely drawing and drawing fashion design.
This was definitely something I mastered. I was therefore advised by my teachers to turn to an education towards drawing and painting techniques. I did that and went on from there to Graphic Design.This was before computers were used in teaching. The teaching was craft-based and we also worked a lot with typography, photography and repro, painting and printing techniques, typography, art history compared to today where one preferably specializes in one specific area of Graphic Design. I started working at a small comic book publisher that published self-produced comics and joke books. This is where I learned to use computers in my work.
This was in 1995. The work done on the computer was often the coloring of cartoons and cartoons texting. At this time, we mostly used scalpel and repro. Here I also participated as an artist and designer of the Norwegian book: "Stopp galskapen!" ("Stop the Madness!") which is a special publication and a spontaneous backlash to France and Jacques Chirac's nuclear tests in French Polynesia in the 1990s. The book presents texts by well-known personalities and a number of political illustrations by Norway's most skilled cartoonists and at the time. My first child was also born at this time. So I became a young working mother. I have since worked in different agencies and also gradually gained a thorough understanding of marketing and the importance of holistic thinking in the field. In the comic book agency I was able to make use of my drawing skills to a certain extent, but eventually the digital part took over completely. At the same time, I had another child and the physical craft of painting and drawing was long ago completely shelved. I would say I have a knack for never giving up and practicing, keep going, learning new things.
How did you first discover your passion for art?
I can't say that concretely, but it probably dates back to my childhood. My grandparents had paintings on the walls, and to this day I can remember details of these very well. And I loved to drew wedding dresses and portraits of my pop idols. So all my childhood and adolescence, this was something I could escape into and it was my world.
You mentioned that your longing for expressing yourself through drawing and painting was repressed for almost 30 years. What were some of the factors or obstacles that led to this repression, and how did you overcome them?
I think probably part of the reason I opted out and suppressed this part of me was that, unfortunately, I'm trained throughout my childhood to suppress my own needs and feelings. How I see myself has changed since I got older and dare to take up more space and care a little less about what others might think. Having the right people around me and making conscious choices around this has also helped me a lot.
What inspired you to finally pursue your artistic passion after such a long period of suppression?
In connection with challenging times both at work and privately, I decided to turn this into something positive. Opportunities arose and painting became a kind of therapy and bright spot – a sense of mastery. I was also very inspired after going to a pop-up art exhibition and talking to the exhibitor. Several experiences suddenly helped form a concrete idea of what I wanted to do with my time and could achieve for myself. You only live once and time goes by so fast and there's so much I want to do and now I don't have time to sit and wait any longer. A friend said to me that 2024 is your year, Anette and I have decided it will be. Both of my boys have also inspired me immensely and they have a mentality that they don't set limits for themselves – then I decided it was time for me to think that way too. So a difficult and challenging period in my life I have chosen to see as a whole new opportunity for me.
Could you tell us more about your upcoming exhibition in Paris and Montmartre? What does this opportunity mean to you personally and professionally?
I was contacted by an Italian art curator on Instagram who introduced herself and wondered if I would like to attend an exhibition in Paris Montmartre March 2024. Skeptical as I am, I said it sounded really great, but that I was 100% sure this was scam. Which it turned out not to be. I did a lots of research and eventually found out that these were reliable people with good intentions. There was no downside to the fact that they have a great theme for the exhibition: "Thinking to the future"
An exhibition born to reflect on the climate emergency and the role that each of us plays to contribute. Sending a photo to France isn't a piece of cake, and there were challenges with taxes and fears that the image wouldn't be delivered. The relief was great when they could tell that the picture had been received. Only then did I really understand how much this actually meant to me. So I am very grateful that I was contacted and for how helpful and patient my Italian curator has been. For me personally, it is awesome and surreal that my picture is exhibited where the artists I learned about at school once again started their careers. I think this will have a great significance and not least it is great inspiration for me.
As an artist and graphic designer, what themes or subjects do you typically explore in your work? Are there any particular messages or emotions you aim to convey through your art?
The organic, the graphic – what makes me happy and gives me energy. I haven't latched onto any particular topic and the road gets a little bit more as I walk it. If my photos can spread joy and give good energy, I think that's fantastic. My pictures probably lean more towards the merry than the glooming. That may be the common denominator, but then I think beyond the fact that each individual image has its own story and message.
What challenges have you faced along your journey as an artist, and how have you overcome them?
I might think there are people that think things are happening a little too fast and that they think that this may be difficult to implement. But I'd rather try and fail than not follow my own dreams – I think you regret that more. So overcoming this is very much about mental barriers and being open to daring to make mistakes and daring to be seen. If you want changes in your life or make changes, you actually have to think that you will make it happen – if you don't believe in it yourself, you can't.
How do you balance the creative aspects of your work with the more technical aspects of graphic design?
I think that's quite natural, as this is probably something that is partly about balance, holistic preconceptions that I may have more motorically built in after so many years.
What role does social media play in your artistic career? How do platforms like Instagram and TikTok help you connect with your audience and share your work?
It means everything and it means many more opportunities to be seen. I'm just starting out and have few followers, but I think I'm doing something right by listening to and learning from others who share their knowledge. I have done something right, because I am contacted by art curators who have invited me to participate in exhibitions.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists who may be struggling to pursue their passions or overcome creative blocks?
Life is so short, much shorter and more fragile than one might sometimes imagine. What's not to try? What do you have to lose? Do something for yourself and ignore what others may think is right. Start small and take new steps in the right direction.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for your artistic career? Are there any particular milestones or projects you hope to achieve in the future?
My ambition is to be able to make a living from this so that I can be independent and live the life I want with my art. Live wherever I want and maybe have a house or apartment abroad that makes long winters with lots of snow in Norway easier to cope with. I think the bigger the better – big formats – new challenges. Finding myself in art, my style and my expression – I'm excited about what the future holds.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with our audience about your journey, your art, or your upcoming projects?
I've learned that it's better to jump into things and not dwell on time – start and the road is created along the way. Dare to take up space and don't be so anxious about what others might think. Only you can take responsibility for your worth and make sure it can actually become reality. Live your life the way you want it! I have several exhibitions underway and several plans with partners/ about projects that add value to groups that need focus and attention. I know I've done the right thing by starting painting again and I feel like I've come home.
