In 2009, Ann waved goodbye to midtown Manhattan and now paints full time in her studio overlooking the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
Prior, she was one of the leading women creative directors in advertising. Her work as Executive Creative Director at Y&R, and as Creative Director, Worldwide, at Saatchi and Saatchi was often recognized with major awards. She was chosen to be US television and film judge at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, and was frequently called upon for commentary by Adweek, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Adage.
“I’d always been a writer. Journalism, screenplays, then headlines, taglines, zillions of 30 second commercials. Eventually, I began painting as a way to be creative without answering to the almighty focus group (unless you count my dogs Echo and Ruby). On the up side, being in New York and working in advertising exposed me to world class art and design daily.”
Most of Ann’s subsequent art education comes from learning to stand still, seeing what moves her. Also from the work of American Abstract Expressionists, Henri Matisse , and Milton Avery.
She lives with her husband of 30 years, Dan Lytle, as well as with many creatures just outside her door.