Anne
Lear’s first experience with desert was a a young girl. Growing up
in Los Angeles, Anne and her family made many trips to 29 Palms to
visit her uncle, Bob Lear, a homesteader in the 1930’s. If Lear
Avenue rings a bell, that road was named after Uncle Bob. This
photo shows Anne, left, with Uncle Bob.
In this episode
we’ll first learn how it was that
Anne’s uncle came to be living in 29 Palms, which resulted in Anne
coming to retire in the desert. Anne says as a child, there was
nothing really interesting to do on these trips other than looking
for rocks with one of the neighbor boys.
Anne
credits two ladies for inspiring her to be an artist. Her mother –
a teacher and artist herself – who would bribe Anne to finish
homework or house chores with the reward of some kind of art-making
equipment. Another inspiration was the Catholic school teacher who
held up the students artwork for the entire class to
see.
Anne
shares the background of her teaching education, her learning the
art of collage and serving as a chaperone for one her students on a
trip to NYC.
In
1993, after 43 years of teaching – it was time to decide where she
would retire. Having access to property with a prepared art studio,
Anne decided she would retire in 29 Palms, on her uncle’s
property.
Anne
participated in two of the very first Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
and has also participated in the last three most recent tours. It
wasn’t until she went on the tours herself that she realized how
many artists are in the Morongo Basin. She notes desert artists are
very quiet about their work and the lack of criticism leads to
enhanced freedom and experimentation in their work.
Anne
feels there is no reason to be isolated in the desert. If folks are
feeling lonely, Anne recommends volunteering, stating, “Everyone
needs a volunteer”. Not long after moving to the desert, Anne began
volunteering at the 29 Palms Art Gallery and has been a member for
over 26 years.