Ann Lawton Interview
Ann Lawton | @ae_lawton
Tell us a bit about yourself. Who you are, where you’re from and what you do.
I’m an artist, art therapist and art educator living in River Falls, Wisconsin. I teach and work full time at the University of Wisconsin—River Falls as an instructor in the Art Department, and also as the Violence Prevention Coordinator, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Research, and as an art therapist in Student Health and Counseling. As an art therapist, I am also contracted through various organizations to provide services, such as Camp Reunite, a summer camp for kids with incarcerated parents. While it sounds like a lot of roles, the unifying balancing agent has always been art and making.
“That art—the viewing, contemplating, or the making of it—as means of connection, empathy, healing, and relationship.”
What do you love most about what you do?
That art—the viewing, contemplating, or the making of it—as means of connection, empathy, healing, and relationship. These qualities emerge every day when working alongside students learning to trust their artistic voice, to witnessing the empowerment art therapy participants in their understanding of self, and in my own personal image making practice. I’d like to think that I’m not the one teaching or therapizing, but rathera fellow traveler on these journeys with people where I am just simply holding up a lantern for them to see new ways of learning, thinking, and growing.
For the past 12 years, my sketchbook and collage practice allows me to give tangible form to the junk drawer thoughts crashing around in my mind—from the slippery, sharp and significant, to the bright, silly, and shiny. Regardless, the paper ephemera serves as part laboratory and part playground. The collages I’m making come together like most puzzles would—looking patiently for pieces to fit in small spaces, much like making sense of any small problem, recognizing patterns or significance that weren’t visible before—understanding comes not just from the final product but equally the process.
Sharing the process of collage with students or art therapy participants is such a joy, as collage takes away the anxiety of having them feel like they need to draw in order to produce something expressive. The materials are accessible and naturally narrative based for anyone to be able to play, reflect, and explore art and design.
When things get tough, where do you find the inspiration to keep moving forward?
The persistent maintenance of boundaries and self-care that is critical due to the sheer brutalness of being an educator and emotional laborer is something that isn’t easily described. Burnout, imposter syndrome, and ambivalence aren’t just buzzwords in my personal and professional life, but realities I have to be vigilant about recognizing and responding to proactively.
The art though? That’s the least challenging part of all of it. The art of all aspects of my life are what holds those boundaries and self-care in place. For me, the art never betrays me if I remain curious and learn how to ask questions about my creative process and about myself… trusting the creative process and following through and with each creative act or day that passes allows for understanding, perspective and often hard-earned peace.
“For me, the art never betrays me if I remain curious and learn how to ask questions about my creative process and about myself… trusting the creative process and following through and with each creative act or day that passes allows for understanding, perspective and often hard-earned peace.”
Who is another collagist you admire most and why?
Gregory Euclide https://www.gregoryeuclide.com/ : Euclide’s work is a dynamic blend of mixed media applications and take collage hybrid approach to landscape and geography through delicate layers and patterns.
Danielle Krysa http://www.krysa.com/danielle/about.htm : Krysa’s work reminds me that I can embrace the whimsical nature of expression with collage and narrative.
Tell me something unusual that makes you happy.
When the US Postal Service releases new stamp designs and finding handwritten notes or grocery lists in the street or parking lots.
Top three songs you keep on repeat?
Beige by Yoke Lore
Pick Up The Phone Arithmatix Remix by Dragonette
Dreamland by Glass Animals
How do you fuel for the day?
With the holy trinity of Paxil, Tums, and coffee.
Tell us about your vision for the future. Go big! We want to root you on!
I am determined to open a community art center that hosts classes, workshops, and events to promote, cultivate, and support artistic expression in all methods and media.
Ann Lawton | @ae_lawton
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