Welcome!

I am H. Anne Whiteman, artist, wife, mother and Family Historian. Welcome to my page. In order to let you into my world as an artist, I would like to tell you a little about my history.

I was interested in painting from the time I was a child. I recall in elementary school painting a little girl with an umbrella, and receiving a compliment from my teacher. That was a big moment for me! They say we each have a mentor or inspriration that starts the interest within us, so perhaps that was mine. Years later, as a teen, I began to have even more of an interest in art studies. My Sunday School teacher was Joyce Pike, a talented artist at the time, who went on to become nationally prominent. I was in awe of her style and ability, and hoped to achieve some of what she had. She, too, was a mentor.

I married at 17, to my husband Marvin who was 19. For a few years we were just busy building our life together. I tried a few paintings on my own and, while they satisfied me, I knew I could improve. Finally, I met famed artist Sadako Mano who lived on the street in the neighborhood we moved into. She was the official artist for the Queen Mary; just one of her accomplishments. She had become well known for her art in Japan before coming to the United States. I was excited to learn she had a teaching studio in her home. For the first time I had lessons with a private teacher. She eventually opened an art studio in our City and asked me to be one of her instructors. I felt it a great honor, since I had been taking lessons less than a year