Welcome to the second month of Artist's Journal entries, The Sunday Sunshine. I am featuring other artists on Sundays throughout 2021. January was a blast, and the giveaway packages are in the mail! To start February off, meet Anne Villano, also known as @milartmom.

Anne and I are both spouses of active duty military members. The best part of being a military spouse is meeting an array of talented women from all over the world. Even though Anne and I have never met in person, I am connected to her through the unique challenges of military family life. Anne is a courageous artist leveraging her artwork to help the military community.

Anne is a mixed media artist, mother, and milspouse - painting to make a difference. After beginning her career as a graphic designer, she found her true calling when she picked up a paintbrush during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. While it began as a personal healing journey, she soon discovered that the answer to her coping with mental illness could, in fact, help others too. It was then she made the decision to fuse her passions.

Anne was on the top of my list to feature this year. I asked her some questions about her art, and I want to start by sharing what she had to say about the value she sees in her own art:

My collection of artworks is not just paintings or drawings on different mediums—it is a visual timeline of my life. I can look at a collection of paintings and be reminded of the exact moments in time that they were created. 

The pieces represent my mental health struggles and have undertones of symbolism that give clues to my struggles and successes. My collections are my voice and are a tangible depiction of how creativity has healing powers and can save lives. 

Art saved my life, literally. It was because I was able to create daily that I got through the lowest, most difficult traumas in my past and will continue to be a coping tool in the future. 

What is most beautiful is the social action project I am working on brings faces to the military mental health statistics. This project is another facet of how art has the ability to create magical change in this world. 

Your art is so personal. Are you ever afraid to share your art?

ALWAYS. Haha. When you spend hours (or sometimes years) working on pieces, there are a lot of emotions that go into it. Artwork is a reflection of the soul and it is always uncomfortable to feel exposed. In my opinion, that is where truly accepting your story and voice matters. When you completely accept your voice, there is a power that makes all the doubt drop away. I think there will always be that fear of sharing, it’s embracing your worth that balances that fear.

Was there original art in your home growing up? 

I come from a family of military nurses, going back generations. I do not remember original artwork in the home growing up at all. I remember being intrigued by the constant talk about the human body that spurred an interest in anatomical drawings, specifically Leonardo di Vinci’s. I think having parents who would discuss their day as nurses influenced my love of the human figure. 

Did you feel like you needed permission to become a creator?

I have always felt pressure, mostly self-induced, to make money as an artist in a way to prove to my family that what I was doing mattered and wasn’t an unrealistic career. I think that thought process is why it took me until now to give myself permission to call myself an artist, despite my talent and passions. I am learning now that anything really is possible if you truly believe and make it happen.

When did you decide to take selling your art seriously?

A conversation with a professional artist mentor in the family changed my confidence in selling my art. During a holiday gathering, I began speaking with him about my dreams and how it was difficult, especially as a young mother and Milspouse, to devote time to something that I may not have the talent for. 

I flat out asked him, “Do you think I could make a living doing this? I don’t want to kill myself taking on this career if it’s just not in the cards.” 

He immediately said, “Yes you definitely can! I just think you went to selling things online too quickly. You haven’t devoted time to the process of the craft, discovering your style which is a common mistake.” 

That conversation changed my way of thinking and gave me the confidence within myself to begin the journey that I am still on today!

Does marketing and creating for an audience impact your creative process?

Marketing and creating for my audience does take a toll on the creative process. It is definitely a necessary evil. I feel I am closer to finding that balance now that I have an actual schedule. Sticking to a schedule of creating has been key for me. 

One thing that has been vital for me as an artist is taking breaks from social media to create. I realized how easy it was for me to get caught up in getting the right shot or creating a video rather than actually working on my pieces and decided to commit to disconnecting from social media when I feel that happening.

Do you set goals? Many small goals, one large goal, both?

I most definitely set goals for my artistry! I have small goals, and then life goals. 

Small goals include things in the present like creating weekly newsletters or sharing my process on social media two times a day. 

My large goals include being accepted to a juried art show, raising a substantial amount of funds through art sales that go toward my art therapy program, becoming Military Spouse of the Year so that I can advocate for creative therapies in the military community, finishing my social action mural, and illustrating a children’s book.

Those are large goals! I am cheering for you to get Military Spouse of the Year to really leverage that platform.

Artwork has always been a source of healing. It was through artwork that I found my life purpose and relief from my mental health symptoms. 

My gift has given me the opportunity to help others going through similar situations, especially within the military community. It is my hope that my artwork not only evokes emotions on the subject matter that inspires me, but also creates conversations over taboo topics such as mental health, spirituality, and aspects of military life.

One last question. How do purchases of your artwork benefit you and your goals?

Purchases of my artwork validate a lifetime of dedication to my craft. I feel as though being an artist chose me in a way and is who I am not what I do. When people purchase something, it gives me the confidence knowing that my voice matters, my mission to help others is important and needed, and that anything is possible.

Anne has a giveaway on Instagram and she is expanding ways to enter for you!
In honor of Valentine’s Day, Anne is giving away a 16x20” print of Courageously Vulnerable.
To enter the giveaway follow these two steps by February 23rd:
1. Say hello in the comments here on the blog
and
2. Join Anne’s Newsletter HERE
This giveaway has ended, but we would still love to hear from you in the comments.

I stand heart-to-heart with Anne!  I enjoy her fun social media posts giving a peek into the chaos of being a mom and an artist. I encourage you to go to her website and subscribe to support her mission. She also has an active blog that you should check out.
www.annevillanoart.com

My recent growth as an artist is overwhelmingly supported by other artists. I want to return the favor. I hope that Anne’s mission is as inspiring to you as it is to me.  Please continue to join me as I host more dedicated artists on the Sunday Sunshine series in the Artist’s Journal.

Tia Sunshine

If we haven’t met, you can read more about me in my journal HERE and HERE, or visit my Welcome/About with the button below.

This series is inspired by the Artists Sunday campaign that started last year. While I am not a huge fan of specific shopping days, I am a fan of encouraging individuals to buy from artists. This series is my way of participating in the spirit of the movement. www.artistssunday.com

Artists Sunday is "a nationwide art-shopping movement with more than 4,300 members. Participants include 500+ local communities, including arts agencies, cities, counties, state agencies, chambers of commerce, and organizations and 3,800+ individual artists." Their mission is "to encourage consumers to shop with their favorite local artists and craftsmen during the holiday season. Artists Sunday takes place the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Think of it like Black Friday or Small Business Saturday but for the arts. New members are joining daily."

More February Sunshine on the way with Carrie Brummer, and Payton Cook!

Remember to leave a comment below!