The Archway
Annie Veerman’s artistic practice is rooted in curiosity, patience, and a lifelong appreciation for form.
For 37 years, Annie worked as an accountant, building a global career that took her across five countries—Australia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, and Belgium. During this time, her focus was firmly on work, but the rewards were rich: enduring friendships, broad cultural exposure, and a deep love of travel that continues to shape her life.
Throughout those years, Annie returned intermittently to painting and drawing, drawn to the quiet concentration they offered. While time and professional commitments limited her progress, the process itself remained meaningful. She was fortunate to study with several dedicated teachers, including Vicky Ramsden in Hampshire, whose guidance left a lasting impression.
In December 2017, Annie retired and began exploring the creative pursuits she had long set aside. Sewing became an early focus—initially unfamiliar territory—but under the guidance of a skilled teacher on the Gold Coast, it became both a discipline and a friendship that endures.
Travel continued, now unbound by work. A planned visit to Barcelona expanded into a week in Florence and a painting holiday in Tuscany—an experience that proved transformative. While visiting the Uffizi Gallery, Annie found herself drawn not only to the paintings, but to the sculptures. For the first time, the thought arose: I wonder if I could do that. Though quickly dismissed, the seed was planted.
Later that same trip, a chance meeting led her to The Florence Studio, where artists Laura and Frank welcomed her into their space. The moment Annie stepped inside, she knew she would return. The studio’s focus on sculpting and oil painting aligned instinctively with her interests, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
When global travel paused in 2020, Annie discovered Thinking Hand Studios on the Gold Coast, where she began formal sculptural training with Damian. It was here that she completed her first bust—Glenn—and realised sculpture was not simply an interest, but a calling.
Since 2023, Annie has returned to The Florence Studio once or twice a year to deepen her sculpting and painting practice, while continuing her work at Thinking Hand Studios. Her sculptures begin in oil-based clay, allowing for an intuitive, tactile process. Works she feels resonate are then cast in bronze at Chalkos Foundry in Brisbane, where Dean and Ti bring her pieces to their final form with exceptional craftsmanship.
Annie’s work is grounded in the human figure, intimacy, and presence. Her sculptures explore moments of stillness, connection, and quiet strength—honouring form not as spectacle, but as lived experience.
