When I, an undergraduate major in Spanish at IU in 1969, submitted my final essay exam for Professor Russell Salmon's seminar on Pablo Neruda, it included a spontaneous poem I had written in his style called "Oda a las Odas."  The professor presented a copy of my poem to Neruda during a trip to Chile, and the poet autographed it for me in colorful markers.

After my graduation from IU, I pursued a career as an artist.  I studied life drawing and painting in Denver at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, later joining the faculty there and continuing to teach in many other art schools over the years.  I currently run two full day classes from my studio in Chicago, specializing in portrait painting and figure-in-landscape.  Starting in 1985 and into the present, I have created hundreds of beach paintings depicting the rich cultural diversity of people and bathers on the shores of Lake Michigan. 

I am also known for my many portraits.  My life-sized oil painting of former IU President John Ryan and a smaller one of former Chancellor Herman B. Wells hang on the IU campus in Bloomington.  Other formal portraits are in collections at Earlham College, Ball State University, and Concordia Lutheran College, all in Indiana. 

Back in 1967, I met Phil (Felipe) Ponce in a Spanish literature class taught by John Wall of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.  (My father, coincidentally, had almost the same name:  John Walls, B.A., 1948 from IU, no relation to John Wall.) Phil is from East Chicago, Indiana, the son of Mexican immigrants. Phil and I married in 1971 and have three children, all graduates of IU.  Our son Anthony also majored in Spanish, and while on campus our son Dan founded the male a cappella group "Straight No Chaser" which went on to international fame.  Our daughter Maria is a well-known photographer in Chicago. 

Maria and I have had several exhibits together, combining our paintings and photos: "A Week in Mexico" (2001), "Men Only" (2002), and "On TV/Off TV" (2009).  My other gallery shows include a series of Midwest landscapes (2007) and an exhibit of paintings showing rehearsals by the Chicago Joffrey Ballet (2011).

Phil and I live in Chicago and have four young grandchildren (whom I paint continuously).  Phil, an English and Journalism major at IU, is a long-time host and correspondent for the PBS show "Chicago Tonight." 

My entire life unfolded as a result of our meeting each other in that class.  Plus, the knowledge I gained majoring in Spanish/Latin American language and culture enriched the personal relationship I had with my wonderful Mexican American in-laws.  I am so grateful to the department that brought us together! 

My paintings can be viewed on my website at www.annponce.com.