Anna Hasseltine

Anna Hasseltine is a Chicago-based artist and printmaker.  Originally from Boston, she graduated in 2015 from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn with a BFA in Printmaking. When Anna is not screenprinting gig posters and fine art prints at Delicious Design League, she is drawing, carving, and printing woodcuts, linocuts and screen prints at Hoofprint in McKinley Park. Anna is fascinated by wildlife and animal behavior, and finds herself searching the depths of flora and fauna to help resolve life’s unanswered questions.  Her prints draw inspiration from literary works such as Shakespearian tragedies to Aesop’s Fables. Anna has a particular interest in innate animal behavior and how animal instinct manifests itself in our human conduct and interactions. The animals in her work become metaphors for our daily life on a personal, national, and global level. Power struggles, aggression, predator-prey relationships, and the battle for survival are common themes and concepts explored in her work.

WHY ANNA JOINED THE POSSE

The Speedball Print Posse gives printmakers a platform to work directly with a leading art materials supply company to create a custom ink. I am looking forward to teaming up with Speedball to develop an ink that I plan to use in a specific upcoming body of work. Being able to collaborate first-hand in creating branding for such an ink is incredibly exciting and a unique experience. I am also looking forward to having the partnership of Speedball for an upcoming workshop, as well as support to participate at the 2020 SGCI Conference in Puerto Rico.

Anna’s Limited Edition Posse Relief Printing Ink, “HOPPIN’ HOLLAND BLUE”

“Hoppin’ Holland Blue is inspired by the colors of Delft pottery, which originated in the city of the same name in the Netherlands. It also references my pet bunny named, “Blue,” who is a Holland lop rabbit.  This color was made to match ceramic work that I have been creating using Speedball’s Medium Blue Underglaze. The relief ink I have developed will be utilized in a body of woodcut prints that are informed by these ceramic pieces.”