North Shore Spotlight: Annie Soler

 

In October of last year, Annie Soler joined the North Shore studio as artist, Cole Fox’s,  1:1 assistant, and our community is stronger because of it!

Annie attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts. She is a painter with experience working in multiple mediums. In addition to working at Arts of Life, she works as an administrative assistant for a private art dealer and as a cashier at Whole Foods. Despite being crazy busy with work, Annie loves to cook and still dedicates time to her creative practice.

On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, Annie always finds time to converse with artists and sing along to Taylor Swift with Cole.

North Shore artist, Hector Jones, sat with Annie to learn more about her:

Hector Jones: If you were an artist, what kind of artist would you be?

Annie Soler: I am an artist. I do painting and drawing primarily and I work with all kinds of mediums. I also have done some work with video art, but I don’t have access to equipment right now- but that’s something I’d like to get back into. Primarily, I’d describe myself as a painter.

HJ: How did you hear about the Arts of Life?

AS: Just doing a job search actually. I was on Chicago Artist Resource, which is a job site for artists to find work. I kind of had the goal in mind that I wanted to find work that was rewarding and meaningful because-you know I’d been working a cashiering job which is fine-and I enjoyed it-but at the end of the day- not…the… most…rewarding job? I enjoyed it, but I wanted to do something that felt like I was able to contribute to society in a larger way, so I was so happy to find Arts of Life.

HJ: What do you like most about Arts of Life?

AS: I love the community. The people here are just so amazing. Community is so important in this space and it’s really cool just seeing all the positivity that artists have for each other and for the staff, and all the hard work that everyone puts in to making this community what it is. I’m also super inspired by the artists’ work themselves. It’s just rewarding. I feel rewarded at the end of the day-being a part of something larger than myself-specifically the person that I’m working with-Cole. Being able to facilitate his art making and help his voice shine is so rewarding because he’s a really interesting person and has a lot to share.

HJ: Do you have a favorite piece of art that has helped you grow over the past few months since you’ve been here?

AS: That’s a tough question because I think I like so many different styles of artwork so…specific piece of art…no? But, I honestly like working here and being surrounded by everyone’s different style of art making because it’s been really inspiring. So not specifically no, not at the moment-ha-ha! I try to go to the art museum often, and whenever I go, there’s always a couple of pieces that I’ll delve into and stay with for a long time-but nothing’s popping into my head at the moment.

HJ: Is there any way that Cole has helped you grow as an artist?

AS: Cole is incredibly thoughtful about color and working with him to build color palettes has been exciting. He’ll put colors together that I would never think to put together and they look awesome-so I am learning a lot from that.

HJ: What do you do when you’re not at Arts of Life?

AS: I love to cook. So I’m making a new recipe almost every night. Um…and I love to do crossword puzzles, and of course, as an artist, I love to make art-so I’ll be in my studio painting and drawing right away. I also love to sing! So you can find me singing around my house.

HJ: Okay, thank you.

AS: Okay, thanks Hector!

Thanks Annie! Let us know if you and Cole ever decide to come out with an album!