Anita Bradley Art, Williamsburg, VA
Anita Bradley - Bio
My work has been in the art and interior design fields for over thirty years. I began my journey into an art career in 1989 as a decorative artist/painter, executing residential and commercial faux finishes, murals and painted furniture. Along with my crew I have painted everything from 10,000 square foot restaurant interiors to tiny glamorous powder rooms and sets for television and events. I liked that every job was unique and involved research, experimenting and developing a new finish or technique. That kept it interesting over the years. Working with gracious clients and the most wonderful and talented assistants over the years made it rewarding.
Wanting to expand my creativity into the larger picture of interior design, in 1999 I opened a retail and studio location in the Palace Shops of Ghent, Norfolk, VA showcasing art by local artists. I operated my decorative painting and design consultation business from this fabulous location for several years, but ultimately decided to return to working from my home studio which allows me so much more freedom. (And I get to spend more time with my cats.)
In 2005 I discovered mosaic art and enjoyed making abstract wall art from glass, stones, shells and found objects. The textures and dimension are fabulous! I participated in a number of art shows for the next few years including the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival in 2008 where the big nor'easter destroyed my tent. Fortunately my mosaics survived.
I had a brief gig as a design studio consultant for Pottery Barn in MacArthur Center in Norfolk where I was fortunate to meet and assist hundreds of wonderful customers with their homes. One of those customers was Mary McGonigle. After leaving Pottery Barn I continued to help Mary with her interior design. When she asked me if I would do a painting for her great room, I felt the excitement sparkle inside me. I knew this event was significant.
For several years I had been pondering the idea of finally making my own art and was considering resuming mosaic art. But Mary's request was the catalyst I needed to get me painting again. So…in the fall of 2020, I dove in, this time expressing MYSELF - my ideas and feelings and movements - with acrylics on canvas and paper. And, oh my, I was HOME! I didn't think at this stage of my life I'd be starting a new (ish) career, but I love painting so much it's not at all like work.
After several months of “Painting Mary” I produced several paintings I was happy with and that Mary loved. And I kept on painting, having discovered the pure joy I found in this art form. I'm grateful to Mary for trusting me and to the universe for the perfect timing. I'm also grateful to my partner, Doug Dye, for his support and for being the coolest guy I know.
The Williamsburg Second Sunday Festival, April 11, 2021, was the first show of my paintings.
