Meet Anne Hoff

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anne Hoff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Anne, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

Simply put, I am stubborn. Let me paint of picture of how I grew up and challenges I faced.
I grew up in a large farming family in rural Indiana, which had a strong heritage and work ethic from Germanic roots.
Tradition and “this is how we do things”, and a strong work ethic was instilled in me from this upbringing. When things broke, didn’t work, needed getting done, you had to handle it. No questions.

It was a bit of work till its done, no matter the cost on body and mind. The idea was this is how we progress, and make something of ourselves. As you can imagine, this upbringing had its advantages and disadvantages in finding my path into the visual art world.

One of the emphasis in our family was to follow your skill you were gifted with, and develop it as far as you could..
I was encouraged by my mother who saw my skill and wanted me to develop and build this skill… but in the parameters of her vision. Honestly, she was a driving force for choosing my career as an artist, in a positive and difficult manner, developing imposter syndrome.

Who was I, an unknown nerdy, weird country kid to think I was special? It was a difficult decision that was misunderstood, and questioned by everyone in family, community and strangers. I made a mental decision… I’ll show them! I’ll succeed!

It wasn’t until recently that I discovered The “imposter syndrome” and was struck how I do battle this… it all made sense. You see I love to make my work, but always have this nagging feeling that I am wasting time when I could being doing something else, as well as struggling and hesitating to put my work out there and dealing with publicity and presentations. Very ironic for an academic with decades of experience, but knowing that I am not alone and putting a name to it has given me a renewed sense of purpose in expanding my artistic journey.

The one thing that has always driven me is proving to the world and myself that my visual voice is important and serves a critical need, to connect and speak to others about their challenges and trials of life. That people hold still, respond, listen and pause when they view my pieces, is what keeps me going. That I am speaking a universal language to others of the human condition; both sorrow and joy is my spiritual fuel to continue my artistic journey.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

As an artist and an educator of 30 + years, what I am focused on is a 50/50 compromise.

As a professor of printmaking and Drawing at the College of Southern Nevada, my focus is to introduce students developing their own artistic language, as well educate them regarding their opportunities for public exposure in their city, state and western region.
As an artist, I am approaching the 3rd incarnation of my own visual vocabulary and images. I am close to retiring from education and focus on the most important person in my life; me. I look forward to the time to reflect, make my own schedule, and explore the option of future residencies and travel.

Currently, I have an upcoming show of some of my stone lithography prints inspired by the Mojave Desert, and western region of the US. “Desert Whispers”, Western Nevada College, through the Captal Arts Intitiative; ccainv.org Jan. 6 – April 10

Will also have work shown at semi-annual College of Southern Nevada Faculty Exhibition; www.csn.edu/artgallery. December 9 – January 30

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Stubborn. This is the main point I start in any of my lectures as an artist and educator.

In my early youth, I often heard the phrase, but how will you make a living? What are you really going to do?

This topic always exasperated me, and quite frankly, sank my heels in more to stay on track to make my artistic skills the focus of my life. I knew there were many avenues to pursue, and did, working as a “paint crew” member for the performing arts Center of Indiana University, to working as a fine arts props artisan and an assistant scenic painter, before pursuing my MFA at the University of Arizona. It was here I developed my skills and visual language as well as discovering my skills as an educator.

I also counsel aspiring artists to take any opportunity that arrives. Learn to say yes, get out and make connections through volunteering, as well as meeting professional artists, finding leads and pursuing them. Whether digitally, or meet and greet at events, openings, etc. Get out there and let people know who you are… face to face.

You will be remembered and stand out from the crowds of wanna be’s. Participate in group events, participate.
For some this is the toughest advice to give. Take one step at a time. BE PRESENT.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

My health. I mean physical as well as mental.
When you hit middle age, everything shifts. Your parents age and need help. You feel the effects of aging and managing your health with greater consciousness. At 40, the warranty on your body does expire…..

The irony, this is the stage of your life that your experiences have molded you into a stronger and wiser version of yourself. YOu see things clearer, your assets ,your priorities. Suddenly, you have a path that you know to follow, and can see how the rest of your life should be, it is a revelation.

YOu also have the true introspection of your life and priorities. This is when you know you need assistance, to tune up your mind and soul. To remove the unnecessary and keep the valuable. Life is moving faster, and you wish to embrace every moment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: annehoffprints
• Linkedin: [email protected]

Image Credits

Anne Hoff