From CharlestonWiki

Annie was born on December 15, 1964 the oldest daughter of Michael Joseph Purvis and Joan Beatrice (Pickell) Purvis at the Saint Josephs Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. Annie has two twin sisters born on her birthday and a brother who has served in the Navy for 20 years. Annie moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in 1986 where she began working as a commission artist. In 1993, Annie entered the University of South Carolina in Beaufort, SC. where she worked extensively in pencil under the instruction of Roger Steele and Mary Whisonant and maintained an almost photographic realistic representation of her subjects. There remains an extensive body of work on the Beaufort Campus- donated by the artist in honor of her appreciation for the encouragement of her professors.

In 1995 Annie graduated from USC with honors and was awarded the Gamma Beta Phi Excellence for Humanities Award for her work in philosophy and French. Following her graduation, Annie went to Paris where she attended the University of Sorbonne II during the summer of 1995. Annie spent an additional four months traveling throughout the country-side of France and all of Italy painting and photographing the landscapes, city scenes and architect. Upon her return to the United States Annie was inspired to create a new series “spaces traveled” which embodies an abstract expression of the sensual and emotional existence of being in various environments.

Annie entered the college of Charleston in 1996 where she studied under Michael Philips, William Tyzach and Herb Parker and concentrated on conceptual and abstract representation of her subjects. In 1998, Annie graduated Magna Cum Laud with a Bachelor in Studio Arts- receiving departmental honors and the Outstanding Student Award. Being a double Major, Annie also received a Bachelor in Philosophy and received Departmental Honors and The Outstanding Student Award for Philosophy. Annie’s desire to study both the experiential and philosophical aspects of aesthetics led her to the dual study.

Currently Annie is writing a book on the combining subject matters of common perception art making and art engagement with a narrative story spine on the content. The book is entitled “Details: A Philosphy from Within”. Annie is illustrating her own writings using her first solo exhibit as the inspiration.

Details from the Inside

Annie’s first solo exhibit was held during the Spoleto Festival from May to July of 1997 at the Atlantic Coffee House on Folly Beach. The sculpture installation entitled “Details from the Inside” is a year long work, expressing the “inner emotional” details of those who exist in an externally based world. Each figure was carefully sculpted and collaged with images, words and phrases which represent the internal externally. Two musician friends Jeff Houts and Marty created the musical back drop- a collage of sounds, advertisements, dialogue and instrumental acoustics to make the installation a true collaged experience for participant engagement.

This work is the basic premise behind her current writings on art as stated above. Jan Kardys an agent in New York has agreed to represent Annie in this endeavor.

Arts Instructor

During the last four years Annie has worked as an arts instructor for CCSD at Lincoln High School while attending the Citadel where she has been working on her education degree. Annie has been ask to present her strategies for teaching reading, writing and math with artistic delivery at the High Schools That Work Conference to 5,000 participants in Nashville, TN. this summer. As an arts educator, Annie has witnessed the academic advancement of her students to rise academically from there class room art experiences. Annie working with Jim Braunruether the CCSD Coordinator for Fine Arts and Academic Advancement has raised the levels of her students to compete with a new level of confidence. Her students have met Jonathan Green, are exhibited at the Public Defenders Office, attended two three week classes as Gifted and Talented Students at The Summer Art Institute with William Jameson and other artists, and participated in the 2004 MOJA finales; meanwhile raising their testing scores. Annie is dedicated to the belief that art is a valuable tool for gaining knowledge. Annie was nominated as the 2006-2007 “Teacher of the Year” by her colleagues. After six years of teaching art, serving as art department chair, literacy and numeracy focus team leader, serving on the school leadership team, advising and compiling the school newspaper and yearbooks, and working with gifted and talented arts program, Annie is ready to take the National Board exam and complete her writings on art and the artist's mind.