US artist makes impression

American artist Ann Watcher has been sharing her Southern-style and expressive nature-inspired pieces with art lovers across the kingdom with a series of workshops and a gallery viewing.

She was invited to the kingdom by William Roebuck, the American ambassador to Bahrain and his wife Ann, to showcase her work, some of which will remain here as long as he stays in office, as well as to stage sessions with school students.

Mother-of-two Ann, 53, from Charlotte, North Carolina, found the experience rewarding: “I’m in love with the children here. I was thrilled at their energy and creativity level. They were open to learn and exchange ideas.”

She taught elementary children and seniors at Al Majd Private School, Hawar International School and Al Madrass School.
Although he does not like to classify herself as a painter strictly of nature or of people but rather a ‘painter of colour and expression’, she does consider herself to being a hybrid artist combining a mixture of impressionism, expressionism and abstract in her work.

Ann, married to accountant Richard, works out of the studio in her home. She started at a young age and has an impressive resume. She majored in art at the University of South Carolina and held painting and drawing summer sessions at the New York Studio School. She also held an internship in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the Corcoran Museum of Art.
Ann loves to create a visual experience through her work. In 2013, two of her floral paintings were selected to appear in season three of the top TV series Homeland and another floral was featured in a commercial for a cancer centre. She is also a much in demand art competition judge and her work continues to be displayed in many galleries.

Her paintings are on loan to the ambassador as part of the Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies programme which celebrates American artwork and artists by decorating ambassadors’ homes around the world.

When the Roebucks leave the kingdom the pieces will be returned to the artist through the 40-year-old programme. However, for now, two paintings – one inspired by apple pie and the other a farmhouse – will remain on display in his home.

Visiting Bahraini government officials, diplomats, business leaders, artists, art gallery owners and journalists last week attended a reception in Ann’s honour. Her work was placed on display along with the works of other Southern artists including Erin Gregory, Julia Cart and Mia Merlin. 

William said: “We invited Ann to do some workshops with Bahraini students, to give people a chance to see her work, which I love, and meet some Bahraini artists as well.

“I first came across Ann’s work when my wife and I were looking for some art painted by southern women artists to hang at our residence in Saar.

“What I like most about her work are the colours that she uses and the sense of nostalgia that can be found in her paintings. I find that she tries to recover a southern past that is difficult to do but she does it beautifully.

“She has lovely paintings of old barns, of southern homes and, of course, some stunning still life such as her floral paintings. Overall, she has beautiful composition and subject matter which makes the work even more appealing. I really love it.”
Five of her landscape and still life paintings were also unveiled at the Mashq Art Space Gallery in Budaiya, alongside the works of leading Bahraini artists such as Abbas Almosawi. Her paintings will continue to be on display for a month.
During her visit Ann said she was particularly moved by the work of Bahraini artists she excountered. 

“I was really impressed by the art work in Bahrain, particularly that of abstract artist Balqees Fakhro. It was sophisticated, beautiful and professional. Seeing her work makes me feel humble and that’s what I think art is about. I always want to learn from other artists and I don’t ever want to think I’ve reached my peak.

“It seems like texture plays a big part in the art here and I’ve been very inspired. I’m definitely going to apply some of what I have seen in Bahrain to my future work. Bahrain really was beautiful and everyone was so friendly.”