Annette Alessi is inspired by places she’s visited and passed, people she loves, time spent in nature, and observations of the light around her. She emphasizes the colors she sees “to allow the viewer to appreciate life all the more.

“I enjoy painting landscapes plein air and creating portraits especially of children. Sometimes I work from photographs of my own if I have been inspired by a moment in time, and the moment needed to be captured quickly. There is a story behind each piece as I move through my journey of life. I am attracted to contrast in light whether it be in a portrait or in a landscape. I use both pastels and oils depending on what I think the particular subject and/or mood will need. Lately, I have been falling in love with oils. I enjoy watching the reaction of art lovers as they view my works and share in the joy that has been given to me through my art. It is truly a gift from God. Art is a passion of the Heart. It’s up to the individual to use it, and to share it with others.” –Annette Alessi, © 2015

Annette studied drawing and painting the human figure majoring in fashion illustration at the Art Institute of Philadelphia during the late 80’s, graduating in 1987. Two months after graduating, she began working with Alfred Angelo Bridals as the fashion illustrator for Michelle Piccione. All throughout the 90’s, Annette worked in the fashion advertising industry as a graphic designer, art director, illustrator and portraiture artist. She has been using pastels for about 20 years. She has been using oils since 2006 when introduced to the medium by a former teacher, Karl Kuerner, a well known artist who was mentored by Andrew Wyeth. Her landscapes are self-taught only since the new millennium. Annette began exhibiting starting in 2002 with figurative works in a series called The History of Fashion. Gradually she began to frequently exhibit her landscapes which are now part of a large collection called “Brandywine Valley Landscapes” which can be found at various galleries and art exhibitions locally, and viewed on her website.

Annette loves to share this knowledge acquired over the many years by teaching art to adults and children with classes held at Chester County Art Association in West Chester, PA, Darlington Arts Center in Garnet Valley, PA and privately at her studio in Garnet Valley, PA. She is presently a member of the Pastel Society of America, the Portrait Society of America, and a few other organizations. She is represented by various galleries in the PA and DE area such as Strodes Mill Gallery in West Chester, PA, Hardcastle Galleries in Centreville, DE, Bryn Mawr Art and Photo Gallery, Bryn Mawr, PA and others in the Brandywine Valley area. She juried various art exhibits, including the Rose Tree Park Exhibition of the Artist Guild of Delaware County. Various books have published Annette’s works such as “100 Artists of the Brandywine Valley”, “Best of American Artists in Pastel “and “A World of Artists”. Many press releases have been published showing her works in local papers including an article published in the July 11, 2013 News Journal of Wilmington in the Crossroads section, and the August 20, 2014 Garnet Valley Press. If you would like the collection of Annette’s works in person, you can visit Annette Alessi Fine Art studio in Garnet Valley, PA by appointment by calling 610-742-7474, or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .