Anne Beverly Brown is also known as Brownie!—exclamation mark included. Why? Because adding that exclamation marked a eureka moment in her creative journey.
Anne’s artistic nature emerged gradually; she was a late bloomer in an era when women weren’t encouraged in the arts. While earning a Biology degree at the University of London, she was more interested in writing songs and poems than studying biology. Circumstances led her toward science after her family relocated to the UK when she was 14.
After university, Anne returned to Western Canada, where her biology degree landed her a job as an environmentalist for an oil company. However, the role felt contradictory as environmental responsibility was just emerging, and much of the work seemed superficial. It wasn’t a perfect fit, but it served as a stepping stone to a more aligned future.
After saving some money, Anne quit her job to take a part-time position at ‘The Natural Bread Store’ in Calgary, Alberta. This freed up time for painting, voice lessons, and performing her songs in local venues—a pivotal moment she describes as “taking the reins.”
During this time, a regular customer at the store became her husband. They traveled the world on a shoestring budget with one backpack and a guitar, eventually settling in Bragg Creek, Alberta, where they built a log house and recording studio called ‘The Ark.’ Here, they produced two CDs of Anne’s songs and raised two children.
As her children neared school age, Anne was inspired by the idea of homeschooling—a dream sparked during her time in England. For the next fourteen years, music took a backseat, with only occasional moments for painting.
Once her children were grown, Anne returned to herself but found she had changed. She became more interested in painting, a solitary pursuit that resonated with her deep connection to the rural beauty around her. An insatiable desire to express this beauty through painting took hold.
As for the exclamation mark, it became part of her signature after her first art instructor called her Brownie, a nickname that made her feel light and happy. Over time, she shed the angst of the creative life and began approaching art as a meditation, a communion, and a prayer of gratitude. The exclamation mark now celebrates each completed painting.
Meanwhile, the writer in Anne has resurfaced, though not in songwriting. Please visit her Writing Page, ‘Brownie’s Version,’ where she shares her latest musings!