Anne Strasberg - Folk Artist

The most difficult thing about Anne's paintings is whether to label them Primitive-Contemporary, Naive, Folk Art, or Self-taught? She calls herself a self-taught, Primitive-Contemporary-Impressionist. Being French, of Celtic and Basque origins, she calls the United States, and France, home. She follows in the tradition of self-taught, itinerant, folk art, worker-artists. She shouldn't be confused with the many, wonderful, illustrator-painters, who, sometimes, successfully imitate the naive school. Many of these painters are neither self-taught, nor do they have the innocence of spirit, that is at the heart of all forms of truly primitive-contemporary, folk art. It is this innocence of spirit of the artist that defines true Primitives, whether they are called Naive, Primitive, Folk Art or Outsider.

Anne's favorite painters are the Douannier Rousseau, and the Impressionists. Collectors of her paintings often compare her to Grandma Moses. But, Anne's variety of subjects, and colors, and her skies, distinguishes her work from any other primitive, naive, folk artist, for collectors who are familiar with her work, and that of other primitve artists. Calling someone "naive" nowadays, can be either a compliment, meaning-natural, native, simple and credulous as a child, ingenuous; or, a criticism, meaning-artless, lacking critical ability or analytical insight, lacking worldliness or sophistication. Ethnicity, Afro-American, Native American Indian, or Outsider, avoids any possibility of the negative implication of naive. However, would we call the Dalai Lama, or an Amish person, or a Native American Indian naive, because of their ontological beliefs, or the way in which they perceive the world? No, in this context, naive comes closer to a purity of spirit, and an innocence, though these qualities are, sometimes, thought of as being an undesirable quality in an adult.

Many gallerists and connoisseurs comment on the variation of colors and light in her paintings. Some think it is a mistake, the result of being self-taught. However, Anne explains that she travels a lot. And, the light and color isn't the same in all the places where she finds subjects for her paintings. This subtle combination of imagination and skill is very unusual for a folk artist, confirmed when galleries sell the paintings to people who walk into the galleries where she is exposed, and recognize the country, or place, she paints, as being their home.

Painters, like all artists, transform the world. Their reflection on life, expressed in their art, makes us perceive the world with renewed perceptions, new eyes. Our world transforms through our interaction with them: Because, they change how we think about what we see.
Seeing life from the heart, through simple, honest eyes, makes the world a simple, joyous place, full of moments of simple innocence that make life worth living. Even if the subject is not gay, if it is presented innocently, naively, without the complexities, pains, and difficulties of life that we all experience. Once, in Anne's former gallery in Paris, she presented them with a painting that represented her, and her former sister-in-law, meeting in front of the cemetery at Montparnasse. They had made a date to visit the grave of Anne's former mother-in-law. The gallery's reaction was, "Oh, my God, no! That's not happy." But, someone fell in love with it, and the painting sold within a week.
I wouldn't confuse Naive, with stupidity, or artlessness. In Anne's case, it is a conscious choice. In looking at Anne's work, we need to understand that she is a rebel, who refuses to learn to see the world the way people expect her try to see it. You can label her whatever you like, especially if you recognize her work, and her world.

Custom Order Paintings are priced according to size. Each painting is one of a kind, and will be delivered with a frame. Prices do not include taxes and shipping. These fees will be added onto the base price of the custom ordered painting. One half of the price is due in advance, the balance is due before the painting is shipped. No refunds or exchanges. The painting will be conceived and designed by Anne Strasberg. The example shown, Gabrielle, is 11X14. Anne Strasberg’s creation was based on a photo of Gabrielle, and a conversation with the buyer.

Prices:

To order or inquire about a custom painting, email Anne using our form below.

La P'tite Galerie is located in the heart of the Times Square area of New York, at 555 8th Avenue between 37th and 38th Streets, suite 2310. On the 23rd floor, La P'tite Gallery is a gallery in the sky! Atelier Anne Strasberg, and La P'tite Gallery, share the space with John Strasberg Studios, a theater/studio belonging to her husband, John Strasberg, the international director/teacher. Click here to see photos and a video of the space. La P'tite Galerie measures 9'X12', and is located in the entrance to the studio, so that it has easy and continual access. The gallery, as you can see from the photos, is large enough for many types of exhibitions. The studio has a kitchen, and other spaces that may be used for exhibitions and events, so it can accomodate different kinds of exhibitions and events, like photos or sculpture. If you are interested in viewing Anne's work, which is permanently exposed, or seeing the space, you can visit by appointment only, either by email Anne Strasberg or by calling 1 917 403-5004. If you are interested in renting for an exhibition, you can see the prices by going to the following link John Strasberg Studios-La P'tite Galerie Rental Prices. Please do not pay before contacting us and confirming availability.