In 1981, Ann completed a BFA in printmaking and painting from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and moved to Chicago, Illinois, to begin her life as an artist. Living in a small space, she could no longer create large paintings and thus started to "shrink" her work. Ann began incorporating handwork techniques learned from her mother and to use stitching as a drawing technique. This allowed her work to fit into her life both in scale and in portability—she could cram it into a bag and do it everywhere. As Ann's work evolved, her twin sister took up knitting. Ann was fascinated by the process and couldn't resist giving suggestions about design and color. In response, her sister bought Ann her own yarn and taught her how to knit her own visions. Ann started making one-of-a-kind garments and showing them in galleries soon thereafter. Ann returned to school for additional training at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 and received her MFA in 1994. In addition to continuing studio work, she began teaching. Ann is currently Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. ©2004 Two Sticks Knitting