Ann Flemings is an Austin Texas abstract artist. Her contemporary abstract paintings can be described as “energetic, relaxed, yet peaceful”. Learn more about Ann Flemings in our interview below.
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Ann Flemings Art Austin, TX Abstract Artist
What’s the main inspiration for your art?
I draw upon heart-felt memories and everyday moments. My work strives to evoke peace, balance, and beauty. Nature is an inspiration, complemented by a meditation practice that nurtures my inner calm—the foundation of my creative process.
What is the biggest goal you try to achieve with your art?
My paintings invite viewers to pause and exhale, offering a moment of calm—like a deep breath—amid life’s constant motion.
Through my work, I aim to create a sense of open ease, encouraging quiet reflection and gentle respite.
What’s one thing people might not know about you and/or your art journey so far?
I served as the Executive Director of the beloved Cherrywood Art Fair in Austin, Texas. The fair supported local artists by providing opportunities to showcase and sell their work, while also raising funds to pair those artists with elementary school teams to deliver after-school programs for underserved children.
Did you always know you’d be an artist or how has your art journey progressed?
When I was very young, I used to say I wanted to be a nurse because my dad was a doctor, and I wanted to follow him around. Then, around the age of six or seven, my grandmother introduced me to painting—and I fell in love with drawing.
I went on to earn a BFA degree, but I wasn’t able to make a sustainable living from art at the time, so I found my way into fundraising. Eventually, I returned to art and used part-time fundraising work to support my “art habit.”
Now, I’m working full-time as an artist, and I’m excited to see what the next phase of this journey brings!
In your opinion, what’s the most important characteristic needed to embark on a career as an artist?
Perseverance and a deep passion for the work itself. You have to truly love the process—not the sales, not the compliments—but the everyday practice of making art. The routine of going to the studio, facing the blank canvas, mixing the paint, laying down brushstrokes, watching the surface come to life. That has to be what drives you—again and again and again.
What advice would you give up and coming abstract artists?
- Build your foundational skills – Incorporate drawing into your practice; it will deepen your sensitivity to line, form, and composition.
- Train your eye to truly “see” – Develop the ability to observe and translate form onto a two-dimensional surface with accuracy and confidence.
- Build a supportive community – The artistic path is challenging; having peers, mentors, and fellow creatives around you is essential.
- Establish additional income streams – Art sales can be unpredictable. Teaching, freelance work, or other creative ventures can provide stability.
- Secure health insurance and save for retirement – Taking care of your future is just as important as nurturing your creativity.
What’s your most fulfilling and enjoyable experience as an artist so far?
Having my very own studio space. For many years, I shared studios with other artists and was fortunate to have incredible studio mates. Those shared spaces helped me save money and build community—both of which were deeply valuable. But just last summer, I took a big step and invested in a studio of my own. It’s been an amazing and enriching experience. I’m surrounded by my work, free to make a creative mess and leave it as-is until the next day. It’s a space that’s completely mine, and that’s incredibly freeing.
Another deeply fulfilling aspect has been the flexibility this vocation has given me. Over the past decade, I’ve been able to be present for my son—on both the front and back end of his day. That time together was so important for him and for our family. I’m incredibly grateful that our life circumstances allowed for that. I know not everyone has that opportunity, and I don’t take it for granted.
Where do you see yourself and your art in 5 years?
Hopefully, I’ll be selling my work more consistently. Art sales can be quite “lumpy,” so I’m aiming to create two additional income streams—perhaps teaching online art courses and curating exhibitions—alongside selling my original pieces.
Creatively, I hope to be expressing myself more fully and authentically, pushing beyond what I currently believe I’m capable of. I want to explore new territory—territory I can’t even fully envision yet. Collaboration also excites me. I’d love to work with other artists on joint projects, maybe even write proposals and secure funding to bring those ideas to life. I want to generate more concepts, develop them into funded projects, and get to the making.
On a personal note, in five years my son will have started his career. Hopefully, he’ll know where he’ll be living—and maybe I will be moving too!
What do you love most about abstract art?
What I love most about abstract art is that it isn’t tied to a specific “thing.” It invites people to bring their own experiences and emotions to the work without being told, “This is a tree,” or “This is a face.” Viewers might see a face or feel something deeply familiar—but it comes from within them. That personal interpretation, that active participation, is what makes abstract art so powerful.
All art engages the viewer, but abstraction takes that engagement to another level. It asks people to sit with ambiguity, to find meaning without a clear narrative. And that can be uncomfortable for some. Many prefer structure—something grounded in time, place, or context. But for me, the openness of abstract art is what makes it endlessly compelling.
Do you have any favorite podcasts or books that you love and that have contributed to your journey as an artist?
Devotions by Mary Oliver – I read a poem from this collection every day.
Brian Rutenberg’s Studio Visits on YouTube – a favorite long before podcasts were popular.
Art Juice podcast with Alice Sheridan and Louise Fletcher – insightful and inspiring conversations about art and creativity.
Nicholas Wilton’s Sunday Morning Vlog – a regular source of artistic encouragement and perspective.
Music – jazz, blues, classical, classic rock, 80s and 90s hits, and anything “live.”
Do you have any favorite quotes?
Art is not a thing, it is a way – Elbert Hubbard
To me, this quote shares how art is a way of being. Art can be a method of understanding the world and used as a tool for personal growth. That has certainly been my experience.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m thrilled to be attending my first official artist residency this summer. It’s my first experience with a residency, and I’m feeling both excited and a little nervous. I’m especially looking forward to meeting the other artists, learning from their experiences, and being part of a creative community. I’m also jazzed about having dedicated time to focus solely on my work.
I’ll admit, I’m still figuring out exactly what I’ll be working on—there’s some fine-tuning to do. And yes, getting materials from Texas to New York will be a logistical and financial challenge. But even with that, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to grow—both creatively and personally. There’s truly no downside.
And as a bonus? I get to escape the Texas heat in August!
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