Ania Hobson

Cool, Calm Composer

- Gwynned Vitello

Picture a dog lolling around on his back, legs akimbo, or a cat awakening from its nap, stretching and ready to stalk. A tree in the winter, shedding leaves but not its dignity. Ania Hobson grew up in the country, painting the surrounding movement and natural color, and with that keen eye for posture and perspective, she now paints portraits of people comfortable and confident, whether lost in thought or deep in conversation. There’s beauty in loose strands of hair and the shadows of a face. It’s life and that’s good.

Gwynned Vitello: I figure most British artists work out of London, and maybe Bristol, Bath or Liverpool, but how many have studios in Ipswich in Suffolk County? My dad’s family were from the town, so I’m curious to know more about it and why you’ve chosen to stay in what’s been called the “curious county.”