deWilson Ana Lucia

Extract from an article by Cheryl Brink
Standard-Freeholder, February 10, 2011

Ana Lucia de Wilson was severely depressed when she and her husband first arrived in Cornwall two years ago. The couple left their native Guatemala to pursue a job opportunity, but it took a long time for the outgoing Spanish speaking woman to adjust to the cold north.
It was an art exhibit that helped her acclimatize. “I’m coming out of my shell through the art” she said.
De Wilson said she was born “between the easels and the paint.” With an artist for a mother, she grew up surrounded by creativity. But it wasn’t until she came to Cornwall and decided there was nothing to lose by submitting a piece to the art gallery’s juried exhibit that she truly appreciated her own ability. “When I... saw the reaction of people to my paintings, I decided to pursue the talent.”

It was in 2010 that de Wilson took home the people’s choice award, the perfect motivation for her to join the arts community and tackle new challenges.
“That got us started;’ she said of herself and her mother, who picked up first place in the same show. “We started painting like crazy.
It was a no brainer for her to apply for the 2011juried show. And once again, she snagged an award. “I was thrilled. I worked hard. I did that specific painting for the show, I was hoping to win something.” The piece, called Pansies, took her a month and a half to complete, with four hours at the canvas each day. “1 cannot make a painting in less than a month. It’s very time consuming - it doesn’t matter the size.’
De Wilson said she is inspired by nature; most of her subject matter is flowers. “I like realistic. Most of them I only do with five colours.” She still spends an average of four hours a day bent over an easel, and also teaches all ages at the art gallery, a position she said is extremely rewarding. “I’ve been blessed with the students... all kinds of beautiful souls.”
De Wilson said it’s not just about the canvas for her; it’s about bringing happiness to whoever ends up with the painting in their home. “It’s moving emotions in people, not just the art.” It’s a natural perspective for someone who found new hope and joy through the creative outlet, not to mention a collection of friends and fans. “Through the art, I have found a new path. I have a group, I teach at the gallery. There are exciting things going on in my life regarding art. The people in Cornwall have been awesome.”