Artist’s Statement
As a visually impaired human, I have always said that I don’t see a lesser world, but a softer one. My narrative paintings often approach deficits I see in the experience of differently abled individuals as compared to “normal folks.” I feel that similar deficits are experienced by any woman living on this earth. I choose to approach these narratives with humor by isolating moments of ridiculousness, irony, and tenderness in hopes of rendering joy and making the onlooker feel seen.
My landscape work consists of imagined and theoretical places. My methodology is based on sustainability for the mind and the planet. We must never believe that we have reached our last frontier, and we must always preserve the last frontier we’ve crossed.
Me and Music Today
After over a decade with A Brief View of the Hudson which included two weekly residencies that lasted over five years and basically every gig anyone ever offered us, some creating lifelong memories like our time in Spain, some utterly forgettable, I realized that what I like about creating music is time spent in the studio. In short, I’m taking a break. I’ve played some open mics in San Antonio. I still like my old songs, but it feels strange to play them.
I prefer music when it’s a team sport, and maybe I will eventually find my tribe here in San Anto, but visual art is where I’m at right now. I do feel nostalgic for Antifolk and ArtStar scenes, folks in Texas, even in urban blue bubbles like mine, just don’t perform their weirdness in the same way and overall are more independent of one another. Perhaps it’s because progressive energies down here have to be more politically focused because outside of the little hamlets we create for ourselves, our personal identities are often challenged by the government. Long term, I’d like to learn how to make beats and create some electronic stuff that is more suited to the lyrics that rattle around in my brain from time to time.
ANN ENZMINGER (https://www.instagram.com/themermaidfarm) is an artist and recovering New Yorker currently trying to avoid dying of sun stroke in San Antonio, Texas. During her 17 years in The Big Apple she studied musical theatre at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and received her B.F.A. in musical theatre and her M.A. in media studies at The New School. She was also part of the folk rock group A Brief View of the Hudson for over a decade. Since moving to San Antonio in 2016, she has, for the most part, put down her guitar and picked up the paintbrush. Ann is also an event producer at Brick, an art and event space located in the heart of San Antonio. She produces events that promote sustainable shopping practices and support local artists and makers. Enzminger was once saved from drowning by a Secret Service agent. She collects poker paraphernalia and dice. Anthony Garcia photo (@JoJoDancerPhotos).