Anthe Capitan-Valais
Specialty
Media
Artist Gallery
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Artist Bio
I have always been an artist of some sort. When I was a small child I would take the cardboard pieces out of my dad's laundered shirts to paint and draw upon. I couldn't wait for the next delivery of clean shirts as it would be loaded with many a blank canvases for me to make my creations. I use to get paint by number kits as gifts, however, I was never one to stay in the lines so with those paints, my imagination and the cardboard inserts from my Dad's shirts I would paint, and paint and paint.
I love art, and the creative process in all media. Besides fine arts and crafts, dance and music were other avenues of expression that I used during my youth and influences my work to this day.
When I was in my twenties I was a disco and ball room dancer. I belonged to a dance troupe in the Cleveland, Ohio area called Hollywood & Company. Dancing was a fun and exciting outlet for me to express myself.
Soon after relocating to Pennsylvania in my late twenties, I was hit by a drunk driver and that put an end to my dancing career. But not to the passion of what I felt when dancing, which remained within. I continued to pursue the arts. I was encouraged and delighted to interview, compete, present and get accepted to The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, the first and oldest art school in America. I worked hard and graduated with honors. It started me on an amazing artistic journey.
After graduation and several years later I was an invited artist in residence of CIEM - Center De L'Image Et De L' Estampe De Mirage' - Mirabel, Que'bec, Canada, where I was asked to also participate in the Route des Arts.
During my residency stay, my work took a new direction and I began to explore capturing music and dance in my art. I did and do this by utilizing the memories of the movement that are stirred (by my years of dance) by the performances and my drawing skills. This enables me to capture the very breath of the performance giving it life and permanence after the each fleeting moment fades through the line drawings, paintings and mixed media works that I create.Upon returning to the states an invitation ensued by Jon Sherman, professor of ballet at Swarthmore College to create during his classes. A short time thereafter I was a residence artist in the performing arts department where I created work while attending classes as well as teaching drawing from dance through a satellite program.
Taking what I learned and who I had become as a teacher I founded The AnA Project whose mission was to bring the arts to people of all ages through workshops and performances. Making an impact by employing artists to give back within a 3-5 mile of work or home. This became a true calling of mine and I enjoyed many successful years. When the pandemic hit in 2019 -2020 it was decided to dissolve the AnA project.
In December of 2021 I moved to Florida where I have a studio/gallery and work creating and teaching from movement as well as mixed media and collage once again.
Artist Statement
My creative process begins and ends with movement. Whether it is created from a live performance or through remembering my dance performances, I try to bring that feeling and memory alive in a permanent format. The three images posted here were chosen from my sketches and made into 2 foot by 4 foot paintings on canvas. The client had specific needs required for niches that were in his new home inNaples. These paintings met his needs and brightened his spaces while bringing movement and energy into that specific area that would otherwise be lifeless.
I welcome commissions like this. I enjoy expressing myself and completing the work cycle. Utilizing drawings from sketch books, then bringing them to canvas, wall or panel and bringing them to life by means of paint, print and or mixed media.
My creative artworks make extraordinary gifts and are the perfect accents to a room which celebrate shared and treasured moments. Whether painting from dance or music performances, a special idea such as a place you visited or a home you lived in I can create it. I find taking an idea from sketch to finished art a real adventure and artistic journey while delivering a one of a kind creation to my client which brings them joy for years to come.
