FAST FIVE Annette Durkin: Paintbrushes and blessings

Meet Annette Durkin, artist, mother, grandmother, community volunteer.

Annette has been volunteering in the visual arts since she served as a teaching assistant in her high school art classes. With marketing and communications as a professional career, Annette was on staff as director of communication for large churches, including Bethel Lutheran Church and Messiah Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis. She was cathedral administrator for St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise. She has been part of the creative staff for an ad agency and a national company. Her art has been featured and sold through numerous exhibits and galleries in Boise, Madison and currently Post Falls. During the Boise years, Annette was an award-winning member of the Idaho Watercolor Society. In Boise, she was a co-founder of the Art Moms and Dads program for the elementary schools, receiving the Boise School District Friend of Education award in 1999. Annette served as president of The Art Source Gallery, a 40-member artist co-op gallery. Annette currently serves on the board of directors for the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center and as the chair of the JACC Visual Arts Committee. Annette lives in Post Falls, close to her family — sons Alex and Chris, daughter-in-law Meghan and granddaughters Mae and Sue. Team Durkin provides love and support for Annette’s art.

1) What do you consider to be art? 

When I open my eyes to the blessing of a new day, I’m filled with the astonishing art of God’s creation. Each precise vein on a leaf, the abundant colors in a sunset, reflections on clear water. Art is our attempt to capture and interpret what we see with our vision and feel with our heart through a synthesis of observation, emotion and lived experience. Categorically, visual art has a wide range from representational to abstract, impressionistic to expressionistic, symbolic to classic. Just when we come up with a new category for art, it goes in a different direction.

2) How long have you been a painter, and where does your mind take you when you sit down at the easel with a blank canvas? 

I’ve been a watercolor artist since my high school years, due to the mentoring of two exceptional art teachers. I work thematically, in series. The current series is “Ancient Labyrinths for the Modern Pilgrim.” All of my work has scriptural reference and context. When I approach a new piece, I begin with a rough sketch, capturing the basic ideas and design components. I start drawing, God chuckles, and I go in a different direction.

3) What do you do at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center and with artcda.com, and what events do you have coming up? 

I work with Darla Dreyer, JACC director, to schedule, promote and manage six art exhibits annually. Each exhibit is juried with the exception of “Art Uplifts.” The five juried exhibits showcase local artists, featuring 16-20 artists in each exhibit. “Art Uplifts,” our open show, had over 50 artists this year. My granddaughters and I teach the monthly art class during the Free Community Art Night. Additionally, I serve on the board.

Currently, Art Fest is at the JACC, featuring 17 artists on both floors, open through Saturday. We will open the Global Tapestry exhibit Sept. 5, featuring 19 artists celebrating cultural traditions and artistic expressions from around the world. Included will be the Japanese art of Kintsugi, paintings and photography inspired by Istanbul, Africa, Scotland, Germany and Australia, and tapestries from Central Asia. We are always looking to encourage and support new artists and artists looking for a great place to exhibit and sell their work. The art page of the JACC website has submission portals for our upcoming exhibits: thejacklincenter.org/art-4/ The JACC is currently accepting submissions for our holiday show, Merri Minis, which opens Nov. 1. The 2026 exhibit schedule and submission portals will be posted soon on the art page.

Artcda.com is an online gallery run by me and my son, Chris. We offer prints of my original paintings in a variety of affordable art items — placemats, pillows, cutting boards and framed prints along with unique items designed by Chris.

4) What is something people would be surprised to know about you? 

I owned a dump trucking company with son Chris for 10 years and know how to drive a fuel truck.

5) What pointers do you have for someone who would like to introduce more art into their lives? 

As a skill, pick up a pencil and draw. Drawing is foundational to art. Draw what you see, what you feel, what you’re thinking. Doodle, plan, drift, sketch. As the artist Paul Klee said, “Take a line for a walk.” Get to know how your hand works in conjunction with your heart, mind and sight. Like any skill, art requires consistent practice. As an art collector or supporter, attend art events, expose yourself to lots of different types of art, find out what has meaning for you. Art is personal. “Good art” is any art that resonates and connects with you. Soli Deo gloria.