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Annie Harris Massie

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Annie Harris Massie: Light and Place

Annie Harris Massie paints landscapes in oil with an interest, “in capturing the essential character of a place”. In describing her interest in a l andscape’s essential character, Massie explains, “ I am less interested in extraneous detail, rather I am more interested in distilling a landscape down to the essence, stripping it down to the basics—to a particular, very specific quality of light and shape which hold the essential character of a place. I am attracted by the transformative nature of light, as the interplay of light and shadow reveals and obscures form.” Massie notes there is meaning and significance in the landscape beyond observed visual fact. She states, “I am interested in a poetic quality beyond observed visual fact, however, my work remains firmly an exploration of visual experience and optical phenomena, particularly of ephemeral, transitory effects. In painting the landscape I seek the unique character of a particular place, a particular time of day, a particular season, a particular quality of light.”

Born in Charlottesville, Virginia, Annie Harris Massie resides in Lynchburg. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Hollins College and a Masters in Art History from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her work is held in numerous private and public collections including the Federal Reserve Bank, Richmond, Virginia; Bank of the James, Lynchburg.

In addition to painting, Massie founded McKinnon and Harris, Inc. with her brother, William McKinnon Massie, Jr., to manufacture their original designs of furniture for the landscape. Their garden furniture has won numerous design awards and been featured in House & Garden, House Beautiful, Southern Accents, Veranda, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Town & Country.

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