Born late in life to farming parents in August 1921, Annabelle Ross-Vandemark entered the world when America’s economy was booming. Little did she know how the course of her life would change in the years to come: The Great Depression of 1929 hit the agricultural sector hard. Prices plummeted, farmers couldn’t pay on their loans, and banks foreclosed, regardless of the collateral. In addition, parts of the nation were hit with a devastating drought that became known as the Dustbowl. Just like qualified teachers, engineers and mechanics who were traveling the nation in a desperate search for work, her father, Sherman Ross also had to uproot his family often during the lean times. Since Ross was a farmer by occupation, his knowledge and experience provided him with shared business opportunities that enabled him to not only support his family, but also continue in his chosen career path.

     “Today I know we were poor, but the life skills I was taught never made me sad for not having my artistic needs fulfilled in my youthful years. I just put them on my back burner and kept my eyes and ears open for those times,” said Annabelle.

     Prior to her graduation from Paulding, Ohio High School in 1939, Annabelle attended nine different schools in 12 years due to her father’s work assignments. Although art education was not present, she always liked to draw. However, to fuel her inner passion, she found a niche in creating scenes for poster advertising athletic events. “They got me a free ticket to the games!” she said. To add to her creative fulfillment as well as take advantage of then-opportunities, she took her newfound artistic recognition, along with her inherited fraternal entrepreneurial-ship, and began making farm signs to earn money. Being the baby of the family, and nearly 20-30 years apart in age from her brother and sister, “I suppose I got more than my fair share of TLC from my parents,” she said. Because her father was a strong influence in her life, she spent not only countless hours working by his side, but also in the outdoors that fulfilled that love. In hindsight, she believes her rural and farm upbringing wasn’t a hindrance to “not getting much encouragement to do artwork,” however became to serve as an experienced visual knowledge base in her future artworks.