Anne Elizabeth Hill
Artist Statement
My past marine biology career, and being steeped in my loved one’s scientific pursuits, are integral to my creative voice. Living near the Bay of Fundy is like having a constant, breathtaking source of inspiration right outside my window—a vibrant, living expanse that offers a joyful escape, especially for those accustomed to a structured urban world.
I begin painting outside, by the water ideally. I slowly add to a scene as it unfolds, capturing small transformations throughout the day, and sometimes returning for several days, until my canvas is replete. I'm captivated by each of these cherished scenes as they are shaped by shifting seasons and the dance of life, resulting in deeply personal creations.
The moment, after hours of focused work, when I step back and am struck with wonder at what's appeared on the canvas/paper brings me such exhilaration. Whether I'm working with the delicate washes of watercolor, the rich textures of oils, or the graphic patterns of printmaking, the medium is selected to best capture the mood and subject that's calling to me. I love shifting between impressionism and representation, allowing my works to take on a lucid life of their own.
Sometimes, I admit feeling a little overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of inspiration! It is like being at the most incredible smorgasbord, trying to decide which delicious morsels to portray. There's so much to see and experience in any given scene. I know I'll never capture it all - but I have enormous fun trying.
Anne Elizabeth Hill
Artist Bio
Anne E. Hill is a painter and printmaker residing on the coast of New Brunswick, Canada. Born in Fredericton in 1957, Hill's passion for art has been a lifelong pursuit. She was encouraged in her artistic endeavors from an early age by her father, Richard Bagnall PhD, who provided her with art supplies, built her an easel that’s still in use and also mentored her love of the sciences. Her mother, an OR nurse with a keen eye for fine art, further fostered her appreciation for the arts. Hill's early artistic influences include the life scenes depicted in Kreighoff paintings, which she viewed at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
Hill's biology career took her to St. Andrews, NB, allowing her to participate in numerous art workshops at the Sunbury Shores Arts & Nature Centre. There, she studied with artists such as Molly Lamb Bobak and Bridgette Toole Grant, and she spent many years studying plein air watercolor with her mentor, Chinkok Tan, OCAD. A proponent of lifelong learning, Hill has also expanded her artistic skills by studying with Maggie Rose of the New York Academy, gaining further insight into enhancing 3D depth in her work.
About ten years ago, Hill decided to concentrate on art full-time. From her Hilly Studio/Gallery in Mascarene, St. George, NB, she produces joyful works featuring eastern Canadian shores, landscapes, boats, people, flowers, and animals. She embraces the challenge of working in various media, including oils, watercolors, and handmade prints, and has recently been experimenting with larger canvas sizes, up to five feet tall.
Hill was awarded a 2025 ArtsNB Career Development Grant and was nominated for the People’s Choice Top NB Visual Artists - Bronze, in the Excellence NB Campaign. Her work is included in the public collections of New Brunswick Schools through the Canada 150 Art Acquisitions Program. She has exhibited across Atlantic Canada and in Maine, USA, and has undertaken self-directed plein air tours in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. Hill has also contributed to book illustrations, donated paintings to the local Hospice, and participated in art studio tours and pop-up shows.
When you first look at an Anne Hill painting you know immediately that a fierce expression of love is there. As you examine further, the more subtle hidden treasures emerge.