Art comes in so many different forms. Genres like drama, dance, and music all fall under “the arts” umbrella, it’s such a versatile niche. But, regardless of these common categories that fall under the arts, the number one thing that I personally relate to the word “art” is painting.
When someone says “art” I instantly think of drawings and paintings; stencils, watercolors, and various brush strokes populate my mind. I see a canvas with all sorts of work on it. There are abstract paintings, oil paintings, even digital paintings, and so many others that I probably don’t even know about. There are so many styles in which artists can bring their vision to life on a canvas and it never ceases to amaze me; painters have the gift of turning a plain white canvas into a masterpiece. Their creativity, like many other artists in various fields, knows no bounds, and one such artist is Ann Marie Coolick.
Ann Marie is what people call an impasto painter. Hailing from Arlington, VA, she uses thick layers of paint on a canvas and makes abstract and “expressionist landscape” paintings that visibly show the brush and painting-knife strokes. Her work almost looks three-dimensional given her unique technique and patience with the paint.
The painter graduated from Virginia Tech Summa Cum Laude with a BA in Studio Art along with a BS in Marketing Management, in 2003. Her professional journey started soon after when in 2004 she became a Resident Artist at the Arlington Arts Center. Ann Marie continued with this position until 2009 and has exhibited multiple times since. A couple of her solo exhibits include The Glen Allen Arts Center and the Hylton Center.
Aside from leading a successful career, Ann Marie is also the founder of her company called East Coast Art Collective. This business consists of 20 contemporary artists who all belong to the US east coast.
The talented artist’s paint looks like icing on a birthday cake. Just like frosting sits on top of a bright white vanilla cake, soft and fluffy, Ann Marie’s impasto painting skills give the paint she uses very similar characteristics. Now, this might sound weird but her paintings look so cool they look edible!
Don’t believe me? Check out the photos below and see what I mean for yourself!
Have you ever heard of “impasto art?” I hadn’t until now.
Ann Marie Coolick is an impasto painter, and her artwork is mind-blowing.
The talented artist uses thick layers of paint on a canvas and makes abstract and “expressionist landscape” paintings that visibly show the brush and painting-knife strokes. Her techniques almost make her work look 3D.
The pop and texture of the colors make the painting look more like icing on a birthday cake, and less like acrylic paint on a canvas.
Just like frosting sits on top of a bright white vanilla cake, soft and fluffy, Ann Marie’s impasto painting skills give the paint she uses very similar characteristics.
It’s like you can almost touch the painting and it’ll come to life.
Ann Marie has numerous solo exhibitions, and her work is always all the rage.
To catch Ann Marie’s skills live in action, check out the video below!
