Born in upstate New York, where Wendy made maple syrup in the woods with her father while aspiring to be a ballerina, a lucky spin of the wheel at a local carnival won her a half year of free dance lessons. She hung up her mittens and boots for tutus and toe shoes. Wendy majored in Dance at the Boston Conservatory, taught and choreographed at her studio, Dance Rainbow, in San Francisco and danced Lester Horton technique with the Martin Dancers while teaching tap dancing at the Dupree Dance Studio in Los Angeles.
In 1991 she hung up her tights for the magical transmission of her spirit to the rice paper through her bamboo brushes. The history and meaning of this art form and its tools was as thrilling to her as her first pair of toe shoes.
In 1998 she ventured into several years of independent filmmaking, producing three shorts and the Prism Award winning documentary "I Don't Know Jack". In 2001, "Quest to Ref" won the HBO Short Film Award and was later screened at Sundance. Wendy was the President of CineWomen, L.A., a non-profit organization of independent filmmakers and documentary filmmakers from 2004-2006. She taught Chinese Brush Painting workshops at the Corita Art Centers and out of her home in Los Angeles.
Wendy has been visiting Lakeland, Florida since she was five years old. Her maternal grandparents lived in Lakeland and her parents retired here three decades ago. She has one son, who is a professional Sound Engineer for well-known bands touring all over the U.S. and the world. Plus three grandchildren, two older sisters and a Chow Chow names Osho.
Wendy Ann's adventure into Chinese Brush Painting began in 1991 when she met the artist Nan Rae and promptly started taking her monthly workshops in Pasadena, CA. She quickly sought out many teachers so that she could develop her own style through multiple exposures and more frequent classes. Ning Yeh, the "Guru" of Chinese Brush Painting in Southern California and founder of the American Association of Chinese Brush Painters (AACPB), was at the top of the list. She also studied with Linco Chow, Tom Chow, Phyllis Bennett and multiple guest artists at monthly workshops held by the AACBP.
The Chinese Brush Paintings of artist Wendy Ann reflect her dancer's background in their rythm and harmony. Her brush work is swift and sure, setting down only the essential strokes in a joyful freedom of movement. "Chinese Brush Painting is like dancing on paper, executed from the heart, which reveals the essence of the artist's spirit through the performance of the brush."
She has dusted off her brushes after several years of independent filmmaking in Los Angeles and is diligently preparing to share her love of this art form.
