Born in Atlanta and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Anne Elsea (now Anne Thrift) found her creative outlet at a young age through art.  It was always Anne’s childhood dream to one day become a professional artist.  It was not without stops and shifts along the way that she serendipitously fulfilled that aspiration.  Anne completed a Physical Therapist Assistant A.S. degree (Gulf Coast State College), graduated with a B.A. in Psychology (Rollins College), and earned a M.S. in Health Education: Exercise Physiology concentration (Florida State University), with honors distinction in all degrees.  Although Anne comes from a health sciences academic background, she strives to merge her two passions, anatomy and art, in a way that embraces raw emotion and authenticity.

          Anne’s experience in various roles such as former Division II collegiate swimmer and team captain, high school health & P.E. teacher and swim coach, Exercise Physiology Dept. Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Health & Physical Education Dept. adjunct college instructor, USA competitive level swim coach, university academic advisor and success coach, and outpatient orthopedic healthcare provider helped pave the way for understanding health as an investment.   Art as a long-term healthy practice remained a constant in Anne’s world, whether it was through hand-crafted visual aids that illustrated specific concepts to her students, kinesthetic exercises that enhanced body awareness for her athletes, or customized diagrams that simplified complex conditions during patient treatment sessions.  For Anne, creating original artwork offered a nostalgic return and a therapeutic escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

          Anne’s innate curiosity allowed her to, without hesitation, ask questions that led to more inquiries and uncertainties regarding the world’s vast surroundings.  It is these unknowns that prompted a deeper dive into exploration of the human condition.  Her acceptance into a summer semester study abroad program at Crystal Waters eco-village in Queensland, Australia truly opened her eyes to applying permaculture certification principles to sustainable living.  After having previously traversed along the opposite coast of Western Australia with her family a decade prior, Anne reminisced about the Aussie culture’s carefree attitude and “no worries” mentality and what deeper meaning that phrase holds for her.  The intangible life lessons learned beyond the classroom during her international travels helped shape a new perspective and lasting impression.

            Another unique opportunity for Anne was guiding her Anatomy/Physiology college students through Bodies The Exhibition (a traveling gallery) where she first witnessed the innovative plastination preservation process.  One of the most unforgettable moments entailed a literal hands-on study through enrollment in a doctoral level Anatomy & Physiology human cadaver dissection lab.  This exceptional honor and intense undertaking exemplified the human form in all its beauty.  The human body, according to Anne, is the most masterful piece of art.  She later went on to examine the interconnectedness of happiness and health through Body Worlds: The Happiness Project Amsterdam, a permanent interactive exhibition.  More recently, Anne immersed herself in the Hunterian Museum (at the Royal College of Surgeons of England) which beautifully showcases England’s public display of human anatomical specimens.  

          Anne attributes much of her wonder and interest in human behavior to not only mentorship from influential teachers and coaches along the way but also ties with family and close friends.  Her husband, parents, and big brother are all sources of encouragement for which Anne is beyond grateful.  Anne’s wonderful husband, whose passion is photography, is her creative muse.  Their mutual proclivity for self-expression remains a steady force.

          Developing my own style is something that unfolded organically without forcing a certain desired outcome.  Style takes time and trust, and for me it is an element rooted in authenticity.  Artistic style, in my opinion, does not have to be one thing or have a formal label attached to it.  It intuitively evolves as a hybrid of what feels true to my creative process rather than “shopping around to try a certain look on.”  I view style as a delicate balance of what you have already encountered through trial-and-error and what you would like to learn through continued self-discovery.  I enjoy exposure to different styles and techniques and do not shy away from taking classes or workshops to expand my creative repertoire.  I create not to appeal to the masses but instead to express on paper or canvas what I am unable to translate into words.

           Sometimes the things that did not work out are actually moments opening doors to a clearer path.  Setbacks can turn into comebacks, shaping your life’s trajectory as you move forward.  I view hardships and struggles as a chance to be resilient in preparing for personal growth and future victories.  As a lifelong competitive athlete, I constantly encountered ups and downs, and with that came stress.  I consider myself a naturally high-achiever and one who is self-motivated, and that can come with its own rewards and consequences.  Learning how to navigate the unexpected while adopting a balanced life has been an integral part of my personal and creative journey.  Asking yourself what role stress plays in your life (and being honest with the answer) was an eye-opening shift in perspective.  Re-evaluating goals and carving out time for all aspects of health (physical, mental, emotional, social, environmental, and spiritual well-being) has brought a holistic approach in addressing wellness interconnectedness.  After all, total health is a crucial cornerstone for stability, security, and success.

          It goes without saying that each piece of my original art has a story behind it.  Driven by anatomical and physiological intricacies, I frequently include an educational component to inspiration behind the art.  It is a way for me to “nerd out” just in case anyone else is interested.  Often, I integrate subtle images within the larger design as a way to reiterate a particular theme.  This abstract layered tendency, unlike hyper-realism, lends itself to imagination of the viewer to interpret whatever they are seeing.  I like the idea of a subject matter morphing into some other form, depending on your current mood, how long you stare at it, or the distance you stand from it.

          One of my earlier ARTnatomy paintings titled Golden (from the original Bodies of Work collection) exemplifies this concept. The idea for Golden came about from an article I read featuring Rh null (one of the rarest blood types) which is commonly referred to as “golden blood.”  This Rh null blood occurs due to a genetic mutation and lacks any of the Rh antigens that are normally present in the blood.  Fewer than 50 people are reported to have it.  The clinical significance of this anomaly considers the pros and cons of living with golden blood.  On one side, Rh null blood is considered a universal donor (even more so than O-) for individuals having multiple Rh antibodies.  However, complications could arise from the golden blood patients if they received a blood transfusion from donors who are also Rh null.  Simply put, golden blood is an invaluable finding in the medical field but is potentially a dangerous condition to live with.

          Having a dedicated space for my artistic endeavors is such a gift.  This cozy 9’ x 12’ room, complete with two small windows overlooking the backyard, is officially the home art studio.  It gets great natural light and is one of the few rooms of our historic 1946 brick cottage that preserved its original hardwood floors.  My studio space is not a glamorous one designed to impress but rather a functional, eclectic, energizing one fitted for self-expression.  Music is playing through the speaker, phone is put away and on silent, scented candle is burning, and coffee or tea is consumed.  The walls are adorned with a myriad of artwork, including some of my own originals but also artsy gifts from friends and pieces from fellow artists who I follow and admire.  Every item has its place, and every piece has meaning.

          My art studio is shared with whatever family pet happens to be wandering in, crawling around, or watching intently.  All our animals are boys, and all are rescues: Buster and GOB (both Russian Blue cats), Simon (orange and white tabby), plus our silly mutt, Dexter.  Our beloved rescue chiweenie mix, Tank, would often keep me company throughout the artistic process.  Our pets are such an integral part of the family that their presence inside the creative space is always welcome.  These boys prompt me to step back, look at things from a different angle, and appreciate the process-over-product frame of mind when creating.  This little studio spot has witnessed every step of every original piece of art since the summer of 2018 when we moved in and began making memories.

Brushing, Rollins College Literary and Art Journal, Volume XXXI, 2003.  Three additional original works selected for and featured in publication.

by Michael Roberts, Business Insider. Click here to view article!

by Britt Gonzalez, 2024

(11-16 July 2025) at Boomer Gallery, 150 Tooley Street, Tower Bridge, London.  Two selected original works thematically curated in group exhibit and artist inclusion in Advisory Program and catalog.