Minneapolis, MN
© Ann Solyst
2023 Booth #1
The imaginary animals Ann draws look quite natural. Her sensitive style and subdued palette suggest wildlife illustration, not fantasy drawing, and it takes a second look to notice the fantastic hidden among the regular. Inspired by bizarre descriptions of animals in medieval Bestiaries, Ann’s playful animal combinations are sometimes puns, such as the Sealion, sometimes ironic, as in the case of the Sloth-chita, and sometimes simply evocative, like the Ta-rat-ula. Her process begins with a charcoal sketch on toned paper to work out the basic structure of her drawing, after which she blocks in general areas of color in pastel. When she is satisfied with general shape and form, Ann continues to layer pastels, meticulously blending colors and adding details until she reaches the desired balance of whimsy and realism. Through these delicate and beautifully odd animals Ann celebrates the abnormal, the unusual, and the uncategorizable.