About Me
“Art Picks Up Where Nature Ends” – Marc Chagall
My name is Anna DiGesu and I was born in The United States of Italian parents and lived there until 1967.
In my late teens I won an art scholarship to the Cooper Union School of Fine Arts, which was a three year course.
After graduation I was obliged to work in offices and didn’t get to paint full time until I moved to Spain in 1967.
I was fortunate in my decision to move to Spain as I found a country whose people revered art and artists. So between that and the wonderful hospitality of the Spaniards and the beautiful light of the Mediterranean, life was very agreeable.
Life was also extremely cheap and most of the population didn’t even pay taxes – until the beginning of the 80’s. I remember when we heard that a person had been taxed 90 pesetas, there was a universal gasp of horror!
Creating My Naif Style
While working in various mundane jobs to feed myself, I managed to develop the style called Naif. I made up scenes of Spanish life as it was in the late 60’s and early 70’s.
These works, done in acrylic due to the fine detail, became very popular and I managed to build a house and studio with the sale of these paintings. (Due to family circumstances in 1990 I was obliged to sell the house which I mourn to this day and I now live in an apartment with a smaller studio.)
When I moved into my house I was able to employ a model and although I worked every day on the Naifs I saved one morning a week to draw from the nude figure. This came in good stead when I gradually found more time to develop a more personal style.
My main influences in this personal style are Matisse, Bonnard and Derain. I admire their use of color and form and their individuality and their dogged work ethic through all their various adversities.
Fine Art – Human Figure Drawing
My first love is the human figure which I consider one of Nature’s finest creations and to which I return again and again even after I have ventured into landscape or still life.
I favor form in general as opposed to abstract, the latter of which I relegate to the backgrounds of my figure paintings.
While working I like to hear soothing classical music but often I attempt to have on air a quiz show which engages one part of my mind and releases some aspect of my subconscious. This produces some pleasing effects on mainly the backgrounds of my paintings.
For instance, the painting called “The Green Towel” is an example of this method, as the background was painted with one part of my mind on answering questions of a quiz show. I worked long on the figure but never changed a stroke of the background.
In my opinion there is so much unpleasantness and negativity in the world which expresses the dark side of human nature and as such there is more need for a counterpoint in the beauty created by musicians, aftists and writers/poets.
I am certain that many people feel uplifted when they hear a beautiful voice or see a lovely work of art.
If I can be even a small part of this group I feel privileged.
Thank you for taking the time to visit – I hope you enjoy my site.
Anna DiGesu
Dear Anna,I recently came across your website, which I found very interesting, your work has changed greatly since I last viewed it. The soft flowing pastel co;ours are very soothing. I still have a small painting you gave to me long ago.
I do hope you are well and continue with your work.
For me it’s still hard for me to accept that the Fade family are no more.
Take care
Love Annie x
Dear Annie. So sorry to have never answered your message. I stopped working on the site as it was giving me problems. I remember you as an afable and kind person and hope you are well and happy. I am still working even though I have reached a ripe old age.
If you plan to come to Spain please contact me. Love, Anna
Hello Anna, do you by any chance remember me, I was married to Sue until 1995. We met many times when we went to Spain each year for holidays until Sue and me separated. You even stayed with us in Abbey Wood, South East London several.
I was in Spain about ten years ago and drove to Almunecar trying to finding your house but it had been so long since I was last there I couldn’t remember exactly where it was.
If you feel like replying to this email then it would be wonderful to hear from you. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
P.S. I remember when Sue and I split you wrote be a really beautiful letter which I still have.
David (Purl)
Dear Dave, I am so sorry I never got back to you. I have not been working on my art site for a few years so I missed your message.
I hope you and yours are well, although I hear that your son is ill. I hope he is recovering.
I don’t know if you ever mean to come back to Spain but if you do let me know and I will give you my phone number.
My best wishes. Anna
Dear Dave, I have only now received this message and so sorry not to have answered you.
I hope you and your family are well. I imaagine you will not be coming back to Spain. But if you think you will be contact me here as I am working on the site again and I will answer you.
Stay well. Regards, Anna
Hello Anna, I am the daughter from Horst and Beatriz. My father bought a lot of your paintings in Lothar’S La Ventura. I hope you are doing well. My mom in her 90ties is more or less fine. My father died nearly three years ago. I would like to ask you something about your drawings / paintings. Maybe you would like to send me your phone number. Best wishes and a big hug. Sonja
Dear Sonja. So nice to hear from you. Sad about your Dad, Glad about your mother. I am also reaching a very old age.
If you wish to speak to me about my work I hereby give you my phone number:
629330324
Take care andd best regards, Anna
Dear Anna,
My name is Achim Mossmann and I spend time in the US and in Almuñecar. I have seen several of your naïf paintings in local restaurants and fell in love. As most of them are in private ownership, I am hoping that you may be able to direct me to somebody who sells your work. Or if you still sell your paintings? I would love to see more of your work as I really enjoy the few that I have seen.
All the best,
Achim
Dear Achim: I thank you for your kind remarks about my work. I, however, no longer do the naif type of paintings.
I am sorry to disappoint you. The only people I know who own some of my naifs do not wish to sell. However there is a woman in Canada who bought a great many. If you think you can cope with buying from Canada, I shall ask if she wishes to sell any. Let me know.
With best regards, Anna DiGesu
Dear Anna, thank you for your reply. I would love to see if the woman in Canada would entertain selling some of your Naifs. If it isn’t too much trouble please reach out to her to assess her interest. Also, if you hear of others who may be interested in selling, please keep me in mind. BTW, Sonya Dehn and I have been admiring and speaking about your art as well.
All the best, Achim