Anne Villano is a mixed media artist, mother, and milspouse painting to make a difference. After beginning her career as a graphic designer, she found her true calling when she picked up a paintbrush during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. While it began as a personal healing journey, she soon discovered that the answer to her coping with mental illness could, in fact, help others too. It was then she made the decision to fuse her passions. While earning a degree in social work, Anne pours her heart and energy into developing her career as a professional artist. Her life goal, which she is actively working towards and making a reality with each painting sold, is to create a creative therapy program for military service members and their families. The program will address the mental health system of the military community, and it is geared toward offering military-affiliated individuals a space to talk about their mental health — an under-addressed issue in the military community. Currently, Anne makes and sells original art and prints, and a portion of the proceeds go to developing the creative therapy program. Her artwork consists of colorful portraiture combined with abstract strokes, natural elements, and different mediums. In utilizing tools such as paint scrapers, squeegees, and shapers, Anne’s work is defined by its energetic brush strokes and bold colors. Inspiration can come from a photograph, an experience, a song, or a texture — some sort of brief, fantastical glimpse into a moment in time. From there, her creations become emotional beginnings. The heart of Anne’s work revolves around the conversations she intends it to start: conversations about the real stuff — mental health, spirituality, the realities of military life, the impact it has on spouses and children, and more.