About

THE STORY OF THE SLED

My name is Anne S. Katzeff and I am the Creative Director of ASK Design. I grew up in New England and, like most kids here, I had a sled. My dad stenciled my initials onto my sled in order to distinguish it from others. That was when I first realized that my initials spelled a word. That was when my interest in typography began. The sled has led me down many paths. Ultimately, it led me to art and design. It has become my symbol for the challenges and fun of travelling through the numerous dimensions of life.

MY LIFE AS A DESIGNER AND ARTIST 

The following videos, all produced by the Belmont Media Center, provide glimpses into my design and art life.

(1) Transforming Belmont: Art on the Corner. Summer 2021 - Thanks to a generous grant from the Belmont Cultural Council, I was 1 of 5 artists awarded stipends to paint a transformer box. With a lot of guidance and encouragement, I found my way to the finish line.
(2) "What's Going On" cable t.v. show. October 2014 - See some of my paintings.
(3) "What's Going On" cable t.v. show. November 2013 - See my sketchbook as I talk about my process.

PHILOSOPHY

Clear communication, solid concepts, and teamwork; humor; environmental and social responsibility.

INSPIRATION 

My family, the ocean, the Southwest, the Berkshires, Claude Monet, Elizabeth Mowry, my painting buddies, A.M. Cassandre, Paula Scher, JMoore, and Walter Kopec.

EXPERTISE  

Web design (particularly Wordpress), print design, typography, teaching and consultation, technology, details. Webmaster of more than 20 websites.

GROUPS & ASSOCIATIONS  

• Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Nature Conservancy, NRDC
• MeetUp Groups: Boston PHP, Boston Web Design, Boston WordPress, Girl Develop IT, Inclusive Lab, Tech4Good SWFL, South Florida WordPress, WordPress MeetUp SW Florida (Co-Organizer)
• Open Studios Artist: Arlington, Newton, Somerville
• Portfolio Review Board: Massachusetts College of Art and Design — Graphic Design Certificate Program
• Member: Design Can Change - a community of designers committed to environmental sustainability
• Member: Design21 - Better design for the greater good

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been drawing and painting since I was a child. I would sit for hours drawing mandalas with my colored pencils, entranced by the geometric shapes and rich colors. It wasn't until recently, however, that I started to call myself an artist. That self-defining moment coincided with my falling in love with pastels.

I began working with pastels right after I began swimming with wild dolphins. I wanted to be able to convey through my art the emotional, ethereal quality of this deeply spiritual experience. The vibrant colors and wonderful textures of pastels drew me right back into that ocean world as I painted. Soon I was led to paint other "landscapes" in nature that moved and inspired me.

The Earth is sacred to me. When I begin a painting, the moment the pigment touches the paper, my mind slows down, and I enter a peaceful, meditative state. As I paint, I become deeply immersed in my surroundings, and the joy of playing with color and light fills me. These are sacred moments—when I feel both awe at the beauty around me and humility at being part of something greater than myself.

What I try to do with my paintings is evoke the richness of a particular moment, with all of its sensations and emotions. Art is my way of honoring a special place or experience, usually in the natural world, and of celebrating the wonders of the universe. In my artwork, I step away from my rational mind and allow my spirit to create the art. The completed painting is about what is in my heart as well as what I see with my eyes.