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Bio

Annrika James was born in Essex, England to her Greek mother and English father. Because her father was the Station Master, the family received free rail passes, and from the time she was quite young, they traveled extensively throughout Europe. Annrika says her early and constant exposure to beautiful things heightened her awareness of the arts, and from the time she was quite young, she wanted to paint the many beautiful sights she had already been privileged to see.

Annrika’s mother was creative. In addition to painting on china as a young woman, she also had a green thumb which Annrika inherited. Her father was extremely supportive of his young daughter’s artistic talent and encouraged her to draw. Annrika fondly remembers drawing the steam trains with chimneys, and her father would add billows of smoke.

Annrika attended the William Morris School of Art and Design in East London. It was there that she met a senior instructor, Mr. MacAntinney, a graduate of the acclaimed Royal Academy of Arts. He would become a huge influence in her artistic life. His love of art and demand for excellence along with his encouragement propelled Annrika to reach heights she might not have otherwise achieved. He set up challenging still life art for her to paint. He taught her to work in pastels, and through his tutelage, she trained her eye and learned to draw very realistically. At a young age, she received a classical education in art. Interestingly, Annrika remembers, Mr. MacAntinney’s family owned the two original casts to the horses in Trafalgar Square.

After graduating, Annrika enrolled in the William Morris College of Art and Design where she planned to major in painting. Administrators dissuaded her as it is so difficult to find enough work after all of the schooling to support oneself. Instead, she chose dress design but wasn’t happy and subsequently changed to textile design. This involved drawing and painting and was perfect for her. Validation came in the form of winning a competition sponsored by the Royal Society of Arts, and being given a grant to study in Belgium, France and Italy. She presented her thesis to the Society at an exhibition in London.

Annrika continued her studies for three more years at the Central School of Art and Design in London and received a BA in Textile Design. Deciding she needed some time out, Annrika taught art for two years, teaching both children and adults. She loved it, but the low pay necessitated that she find a more lucrative position.

Annrika became a free-lance textile designer. In this intensely competitive industry, she became very successful. Designing fabrics for both the apparel and furniture industry necessitated that she hire an agent to show her fabric all over the world. Soon, she realized that it would be financially more advantageous for her to sell her designs herself, so this young woman went to New York to the garment district and spent long hours visiting companies and selling her designs.

After two years of traveling back and forth, Annrika decided to move to the United States. She loved the states, and felt the atmosphere was freer and that there were more opportunities. Obtaining a work permit and finding a sponsor, Annrika took the risk and moved to New York City. Business took off, and she was working with top design houses such as Pierre Cardin, Givenchy, and Jones of New York. In 1975, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts for Achievement in the Field of Textile Design. It was wonderful, but the stress and lifestyle were taking their toll.

Her new husband introduced her to a release technique that she found very helpful in combating stress and her shyness. As a bonus, it greatly enhanced her creativity. She was so thrilled with her own personal results that she wanted to teach it, and gradually it became a full time occupation. Traveling to Canada, Europe and all over the U.S., she became more and more involved with teaching and finally gave up her textile designs.

Annrika’s career blossomed, and she moved to the Southwest where she enjoyed a less hectic lifestyle. She still traveled and taught, but coming home to the sleepy little town where she lived, riding her horse and watching the western sun set over the mountains enchanted her.

Changes that occurred at work caused Annrika to rethink her career and once again, the arts beckoned her. Finding a Renaissance-like art studio, Annrika painted for several years with other artists learning new techniques. She painted in oils and acrylics and became well known for her flowers, horses and wildlife.

Several years later, Annrika remarried, and the couple moved to the country. Rosenbaum became very much a part of her life too. She loves the freedom and variety she now enjoys, and her skill allows great versatility and the ability to experiment.

Annrika’s art is described as beautiful and graceful. She likes to paint on textured or collaged backgrounds where she often uses Japanese tissue papers. That is followed by two or three washes of paint before she even begins using her acrylic paints. Gold leaf is another medium she likes to employ. Bright and vibrant colors that are often metallic or iridescent cause her paintings to glitter and glow. Currently she is painting tropical scenes that lend themselves to her elegant and sensual style. Having worked in other fields, Annrika feel she has come home to her art and plans to paint for a good long time. Mr. MacAntinney would be proud.

ANNRIKAJAMES