Anna Jewel Gove

I began creating these sculptures two years ago, shortly after moving to Santa Fe. Perhaps it is the spirit of the Land of Enchantment itself. Even now, I still feel like a visitor—curious, wandering, discovering. I love working outdoors, adjusting my studio hours to the seasons: early mornings and evenings in summer, warm afternoons in winter. Animals are my greatest inspiration. They live honestly, without judgment, always present and open-hearted. People can be complicated; the natural world never is. On my daily dog walks, I watch the seasons shift and take in the Spanish, Mexican, and Native influences woven into doors, walls, and architecture throughout the neighborhood. I return again and again to Santa Fe’s museums, finding fresh inspiration each time. My sculptures are made entirely from recycled materials—discarded bottles, Styrofoam packaging, found objects, and lots of newspaper. Through a developed process, they become nearly waterproof and can live both indoors and in the garden. I begin with an idea, but the form reveals itself as I work. As a painter at heart, it is color and pattern that ultimately give these creatures their spirit and charm.