Charleston, South Carolina—Mount Pleasant, specifically— is the next stop on our summer “Real Women, Real Clothes” tour.
It’s here in the Lowcountry where we found Ann Keane, an oil painter with a passion for both the comfort and beauty in life.
For the summer version of our fan-favorite series, we commissioned Ann and her fellow artists—who are all part of a Southern artist collective that reaches from Washington D.C. to Georgia—to create original works of art to be used in the Draper James Summer photo shoot.
Ann chose to create a masterpiece portraying heirloom tomatoes, a staple in any Southern kitchen during the summer months.
Read more about Ann and her background, and see her Draper James “Heirloom Tomatoes” painting, below.
Tell us about yourself.
I grew up in Scarsdale, New York and moved to the South with my family and 20 years ago. I currently reside in the Old Village of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on the harbor facing downtown Charleston.
How would you describe the art you create/your art style in general?
I work in oils and would consider myself an abstract painter. A lot of my work is abstract landscapes, but lately I’ve been leaning toward full abstractions that comes from within.
Walk us through the process of creating your canvas for the Draper James Summer shoot.
I have done only a few abstract fruit paintings, but on a much smaller scale than I did with the “Heirloom Tomatoes” for the Draper James photo shoot.
With oil paints, certain pigments take much longer to dry. I did a base color of dark gray and then applied the tomato layers on top, starting with the red heirlooms and working my way to the greens and yellows.
I had the canvas laid out on my studio floor, and at times, I felt like I was playing a game of Twister… By the end of the day, I felt accomplished and exhausted—mentally and physically! This project took me out of my comfort zone, but I was excited to take it on and grow as an artist.
How would you describe your everyday style?
My everyday style is all about comfort. The Draper James clothing line is just that; the materials are so soft and giving.
What piece of advice would you give someone hoping to make a living from their art?
There are so many talented people out there. I am one of the lucky ones when it comes to being an artist… I was in the right place at the right time. I get to do what I love and get paid for it!
But my best advice is this: Make it a daily practice.
What’s your favorite thing about summer in the South?
This may sound crazy, but I love the heat and the thick days of the South.
My studio is now inside with air conditioning, but for years I painted on my back porch in the heat of the summer with my music playing. I have fond memories of those creative days… Oil paint mixed with good ol’ Southern glow!
Photography by Anne Rhett Photography
