Meet Ann Himel | Artist & Instructor

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

Hi Ann, why did you pursue a creative career?
I have always been a creative and artistic person. My mom was an accomplished artist, dress designer and draftsman, and she passed her skills on to me.
My degree from CU Boulder is in English, and I concentrated my early career writing curriculum for K-2 students and working as Accountability Liaison for Jefferson County Schools.
I’ve been fortunate enough to adjust my career goals with my family’s needs, and now that our 3 wonderful children are grown and we have 3 beautiful grandchildren, I’ve decided to focus my retired years on my passion; creating art and teaching others how to follow their own artistic journeys.
On July 29, 2022, I made my first foray into content creation when I started Art on the Creek, a YouTube channel offering free art lessons and paid memberships. I give my students and viewers permission to play with their art supplies, and to use art as a means to self-healing and self-improvement.
I will always champion our public schools, and sadly many districts in our nation have had to abandon art instruction from their curriculum because of budget cuts.
After the COVID shutdowns of 2020, it became poignantly clear to me that many students all over the world would experience significant educational lapses.
If I could bring art lessons to even a small portion of those students, their families or anyone else who for any reason may not be able to leave their homes or afford art lessons, maybe my channel, Art on the Creek, could contribute to their happiness, education and personal growth in some small way.
That singular goal has kept me motivated to grow Art on the Creek so that my art lessons reach as many people as I can.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Art has always been something I’ve gravitated toward – I wouldn’t say it was “easy,” but creative expression definitely comes second nature to me. Whether it’s the written word in my diaries or now primarily art journal pages, art has always given my life purpose.
The biggest challenge I’ve wanted to overcome is to help people to believe that yes, they can be an artist! Unfortunately, there is a stigma of untouchable culture and social status surrounding artists and those who enjoy art. I want to break those traditional barriers.
My unique, free style of interpreting the scene is my language of the paint brush or pencil sketch. I never strive for realism or perfection when I create art. My goal is to inspire others to play, because it is through play that we learn as children. That playful spirit helps me to capture the energy or emotion in my subject, and I continue to learn and grow with every piece I create.
I marvel with childlike awe at God’s creation. That open, loving, receiving heart is the passion that guides me in my art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Sunday- brunch at West Main Tap Room + Grill in Parker, followed by a drive to Roxborough State Park, a hike, and a little bit of a geology lesson as we venture north along 470 and 93 to see the Fountain Formation rising up in The Hogback, marveling at Red Rocks and the Flatiorns. Dinner at the Boulderado. Followed by a stroll on Pearl Street Mall.

Monday- Pack a picnic, we are hiking The Paint Mines Interprtive Park near Calhan. We’ll relax afterwards at The Wolf Peach Public House in Parker, followed by watching the deer come through our yard as we sit comfortably on our patio – there’s a fire in our outdoor fireplace and we can kick our feet up in our Adirondack chairs as we make s’mores.

Tuesday- we explore Castlewood Canyon State Park. In the afternoon, we’ll relax at Black + Haus Tavern in Parker and enjoy sipping craft cocktails on their quaint sidewalk patio.

Wednesday- Hope you brought your swimsuit, because we are going to swim at Eldorado Hot Springs Pool…after we hike Eldorado Canyon! Dinner will be in Golden at Table Mountain Inn, and afterward we can walk along Clear Creek, then drive up Lookout Mountain to look at the stars and Denver skyline. We’ll stay at Table Mountain Inn for the night.

Thursday-Tour day! Coors Brewery is just down the hill, so we’ll take a deep-dive into what makes that pure Rocky Mountain spring water so special. After the tour we head west on I-70, with Breckinridge as our destination for the night. Lots to see and do in this beautiful ski town, and we can ride the gondola to the top.

Friday-From Breck, we drive to Glenwood Springs for more Colorado history, the wonderful Hot Springs Pool and a stay in the historic Hotel Colorado.

Saturday- time to venture back down the mountain, and since your flight doesn’t leave until very late, we will make a stop at the Denver Art Museum and let the chef at The Ponti prepare us the best fried chicken you will ever have. Over our cocktails we’ll plan your next trip, because you still need to see The Molly Brown House, tour the Denver Mint and Capital Building, drive Gold Camp Road, Stay at the Broadmoor, tour Seven Falls, The Manitou Cliff Dwellings and Cave of the Winds, Garden of the Gods AND take the walking tour of Manitou Springs so you can drink from all the natural springs!

Better rest up!

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 genuinely need to dedicate my shoutout to my family. My husband of 38 years, Phil, has unwaveringly supported any and all of my creative whims, and without his constant help & support, I couldn’t be where I am today.
To my sons, daughters-in-law and my incredible grandchildren, Mike, Kelly, Margot, Tyler, Liz, Charlie and Jack: thank you for always wanting Nonna to paint something new which you always display in your homes and proudly point out “My Nonna made that!” Knowing that you are proud of me fills my heart with love every time.
To my daughter, Catherine: you are my better self, my ballast, my guide. When I’m down, you lift me up. When I’m struggling, you remind me, “You’re my hero, Mom.” You are a gifted photographer, and when I watch you create I feel the mother/daughter circle is complete; now I know what my mom must have felt when she watched me.

Thank you all for never thinking my ideas are without merit – you are the best team I could have ever asked for.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artonthecreek?igsh=Z3V3M2pvNjhiMHll&utm_source=qr

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@artonthecreek?si=GKkEF3tHCYHYafCU

Image Credits
Photos of me taken by
Catherine E. Himel

Photos of my art taken by
Ann L. Himel