Art has always been a central part of my life. Since childhood, encouraged by a creative family, I have spent many of my happiest hours painting or drawing. I attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, and majored in fine art at George Washington University taking most of my studio courses at the Corcoran School of Art. After graduation, I continued with classes at the Corcoran for several years. Painting was placed on the back burner while I pursued a career in Federal environmental programs, spending weekends and vacations developing my artistic skills. Since 2003 art has been my fulltime passion. Through painting, I express my continued commitment to, and appreciation of, the natural world. Having devoted years to conserving the environment, I hope that my paintings will remind people how beautiful and precious it is to all of us. The Nanticoke River, where I now live part-time, and the Potomac, near my Glen Echo Heights home are constant sources of inspiration. As a plein air landscape painter,I am immersed in the outdoor experience, inspired by light and shadow, interpreting the world around me. I seek to capture on paper or canvas not only the visual impression of light and color, but other sensory aspects of the scene, such as the warmth or chilliness, sounds and atmosphere, or activity that surrounds me while painting in a particular place and time. Working quickly to capture highlights and shadows makes my work fresh and vibrant. I participate in plein air painting events as a member of the Mid Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association, and have had solo exhibits at the at the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery in Glen Echo, MD where I spent 10 years on the Board of Directors, the Orchard Gallery in Bethesda, the Art Institute and Gallery in Salisbury, MD, the Gallery at Iona in Washington, DC, Gallery 209 at Artists and Makers 2 in Rockville, and have shown work in many group shows and events where my paintings have been recognized with awards. in many of these exhibits and events. Since 2009,I have been part of artist-owned Gallery 322, at 322 North Market Street, Frederick, MD, with seven other artists. More detailed information can be viewed on my website: AnnSchaeferArt.com