Lee, Annie

Annie Lee, born March 3, 1935, in Gadsden, Alabama, was raised by a single parent in Chicago, Illinois. She discovered her passion for painting early, winning her first competition at age ten. Despite a scholarship offer from Northwestern University, she chose marriage and family instead. At forty, Lee pursued her artistic career, earning her M.A. from Loyola University after years of night classes while working at Northwestern Railroad. Her iconic works, featuring animated characters and featureless faces, gained popularity, leading to gallery shows and a dedicated following. Lee’s legacy includes the opening of Annie Lee and Friends Gallery and her influence on popular television shows. She passed away on November 14, 2014, at age 79.