2020 Artist Anna Jepson

The Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction presents one major artwork by a feature artist each year.

Anna is a contemporary artist, born and raised in Hawkes Bay of Ngai Tahu and Danish descent. She has been painting for well over two decades, painting has been part of her life as long as she can remember.

Initially inspired by attending art classes and completing a Fine Arts Diploma in painting and drawing in 2002. Stepping back after 26 years in business, Anna has been fortunate to be able to focus fully on her art, spending the last four summers studying painting in Italy. Whilst there Anna was able to paint alongside some of Europe’s best tutors. Anna is heading to New York later in the year to continue her studies.

“I am delighted to be selected as the 2020 Hawkes Bay Wine Artist and look forward to designing and creating a painting that is fitting and reflective of this special event and our beautiful region.” “working along-side these passionate and generous people who unselfishly create this incredible event each year is an honour, as is being able to give back and create a piece of artwork with proceeds to Cranford, most of us have been touched by their support and strength when faced the loss of a loved one.”

The human form plays a decisive role in Anna’s work; she enjoys painting on a larger scale with a mixture of mediums, alternating between abstract and realism.

Anna’s forms are often classical, set into an abstracted background rendering a sense of harmony, whilst capturing a relationship of space and light.

Anna’s other passion is portraiture, she has been studying classical portraiture at the Charles H. Cecil Atelier in Florence for the past three summers, where she was taught the techniques of the old masters.

Anna has also attended the International Summer Academy of Fine Arts in Venice 2018 studying modern contemporary painting from life.

Anna’s work is displayed in many private collections throughout New Zealand and she welcomes commissions in both contemporary art and portraiture.