We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Thurber and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?

I make compositions in ice. Seven years ago I was freezing as many different things I could in water to see if there was an art to it. Today I am an ice artist. Thru these years I’ve asked myself so many times ‘is there anything to this?’ ‘am I just kidding myself?’ Today I still do not know another ice artists, and tomorrow I will probably ask myself ‘is their really anything to this?.  My ice making gets me up in the morning, and keeps me going throughout the day. Personally, there is no giving up.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I create ice art, with a special focus on freezing botanicals of New England. I grow what I freeze, then pick my flowers and place the flowers in the slush, let it turn to ice, and then I photograph the ice sculpture. It’s my hope that once you see what’s happening with my ice you will have a new interest and perspective on florals.

Venturing off into a new art medium is exciting and intimidating at the same time. I was not certain ice could be an art form. If I didn’t commit, I would never know. The last seven years I’ve been making my ice almost daily. One of the things I believe strongly, is as an artist it’s very important to follow thru with your own motivations, if you don’t follow thru with that, you won’t know what your personal capabilities may be! TRY.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Life is quiet now, so this is what I would do: The Decordava Sculpture park in Lincoln Ma. , Walking Mt. Misery Concord MA., buy local at Verrill farm in Concord Ma. and shop interesting nursery specimens at Brigham Farm in Concord, Ma. and Stonegate Gardens in Weston MA. Several visits to Mass. Audobon , and the surrounding area’s natural walking paths , these are the things I would do today, if my best friend came to visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be doing what I do if it wasn’t for Instagram. Making an unusual art form is challenging and can be lonely. Over the years I truly relied on the input of my followers. They kept me going on those days I truly thought I should stop. My process took years to develop to where it is today, I’ve got great followers.

Website: www.annathurber.com
Instagram: annathurberartist

Image Credits
Anna Thurber

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