Acknowledgements
Cecilia Comeau gave me this pastel for my Christmas gift. Buddy died in July at the age of 11. You have really captured his eyes. An amazing likeness of Buddy. Great job.
by Pat Ego
Ontario
Hi Anna
I just wanted to send a special thank you and congratulations, its a beautiful piece (To Dance) and will hang in a place of honor at Mac Kids after having raised $12,000.00. WOW!
Dan Mclean
Senior Anchor
CHCH News
Hamilton, Ontario
Oh Anna,
I love that picture so much. I really think that when I am discouraged
it will truly inspire me to keep working. I have a thought. I would like
to use the picture "My First Tooth Brush" as an official picture for
Healthy Smiles for Haiti. Most organizations have something and I really
think it is ideal.
In closing thank you so much. She hangs in the room where I do my work
and praying for Haiti. Since going to Haiti I rarely buy things for
myself and discourage others from buying for me; so this is so special.
You can not possibly know what it means to me. You are a stranger who
touched my heart deeply - now you are a friend.
Georgina Cosentino,
Healthy Smiles for Haiti
Hamilton, Ont.
Dear Anna,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded of all of the
gifts in our lives for which we should be thankful. You have been
granted a gift; the ability to transform a blank canvas into an
inspirational piece of work, through which you have managed to capture
the personalities, mood and demeanor of your subjects. You have clearly
embraced this gift.
For those of us who have not been granted the gift of an artful eye and
hand; we can be thankful that we are able to enjoy the fruits of yours.
We look forward to your upcoming creations, as they inspire each of us
to excel in the gifts that we have been granted.
Regards,
The team at Brendan Wood International
Brendan Wood International
Toronto.New York.London.Bermuda
Anna,
Wow, thank you very, very much. I received the charcoal artwork of Mick
Jagger. It is really beautiful.
Thanks again,
Zsolt Sarvary-Bene,
Photographer
New York, NY
Hi –
I really enjoyed your website! Your pictures are wonderful.
Dr. Joseph Torok
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY
Hi Anna,
Seeing the drawing of Katrina for the first time took my breath away. I
absolutely love it! I immediately sent it to everyone in my office and
all of my friends.
You have such a wonderful gift. I am not the only one that feels that
way either. Many of my co-workers have come into my office to tell me
how talented you are and to ask if you do this for a living. I like all
of your drawings. Just to name a few of my favourites are "A brotherly
smirk", "Toronto skyline" and "Boy's best friend".
Thanks,
Vanessa Tari-Martinez
St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation,
Hamilton, Ont.
Anna,
The pastel painting of Katie is going to be in our family for a long
time . Thank you very much for taking the time to recreate a moment in
Katie's life for us .
Mary and Larry Thorlakson
Katie Thorlakson / Women's Canadian National Soccer Team
Langley, British Columbia
Hello Anna Sponer,
My name is Mark Sponer. I found your link through a search of the Sponer
name. I am guessing you married a Sponer from Canada? There are lots of
Sponer's in Arkansas.
I enjoyed looking at your art work on your website, they are wonderful!
Mark Sponer,
Arkansas, U.S.
Anna,
I've spent a lot of time at your website and I think your artwork is
wonderful. I especially like the "Ocean Side" piece.
Brian Miller
VendorPro Incorporated
Orange, California
U.S.
Hi Mrs. Sponer,
Your work is incredible.
Your landscape drawings, and my personal favourites, "Old bank of
Montreal" and "Winter Wilderness" are breathtaking. They are so serene
and real. You have brought the city to life and captured the hidden
beauty.
Your addition of colour is used so well to compliment the pieces where
used. It adds a whole new dimension and warmth to the artwork. It really
brings "Addressing the troops" to life.
Your portraits each have such individual characteristics and emotion
behind them. The children have a certain playful innocence to them that
is so beautifully depicted. You capture the joy and wonderment only a
child can experience and an adult can be reminded of, especially in
"Boy's best friend", "Boating adventure", "Curiosity" and "A brotherly
smirk".
You've created such wonderful work, and I can't wait to see more.
Sincerely,
Gianna Bentivegna, B.Tech
Harmony Printing
Toronto, Ont.
Dear Anna Sponer,
On behalf of Nicholas and the staff at Pure NV, I wish to sincerely
thank you for your donation of "Precious" and also the personal original
art piece; which were both auctioned off . Your generous gifts certainly
helped in achieving our goal at our silent auctions for the McMaster
Children's Hospital and for the Environmental Defence Canada Fund for
the period from 2004 to 2005.
We at Pure NV Salon and Spa, along with the children and the earth thank
you again for your generosity.
Sincerely, Vincent Randazzo, (Managing Partner)
Pure NV Salon
Hamilton, Ont.
Dear Anna:
It's wonderful to be able to appreciate your art work through the
internet. Thankfully, however, we have been lucky to view some of your
creations in person. What a great talent you have! The graduation
picture of our daughter, Laura is fantastic!
My husband and I believe your creations are a wonderful contribution to
the world of art.
All the best to you and hope to see more expressions of your passion.
Sincerely,
Carmen Varga
Dundas, Ontario
Dear Anna
Thank You for sharing your website of your pastel & charcoal paintings
with me. Your art work has given me a greater appreciation of the beauty
that is always present but we often forget about as we go about our busy
lives.
Congratulations on your first place prize at the 2004 Ancaster Fall
Fair! I'm happy for you and admire your courage to change directions to
pursue your obvious talent and first love.
Sincerely,
Dr. Catherine Ballyk
Brantford Hospital
Brantford, Ont.
Well Anna,
All we can say is that your drawings keep on getting better and better!
The picture of Melissa in her Irish soccer uniform is just so beautiful!
The detail, the highlights in her hair, her pose, her emotions in her
face of determination, her hands that are showing her power and speed in
her movement, just everything!
As you know this is Melissa's senior/final year with the “Fighting
Irish” of Notre Dame, so definitely this portrait will be especially
important and valuable to Melissa and ourselves as a memento of her
great accomplishments in life.
Thank you once again for giving us one of Melissa's “Expressions in her
life” to hold on to forever.
We wish you continued success in all your endeavors.
Peter and Ann-Marie Tancredi / Tandi Homes Construction
Melissa Tancredi - Women's Canadian National Soccer Team
Ancaster, Ont.
Hi Anna,
You never cease to amaze me. I want to thank you for the beautiful
renditions of my two daughters, Katrina (All Mine) and Vanessa. You have
captured them so well, and I get many compliments from all my friends.
I was browsing your website today and saw your last Masterpiece "Pope
John Paul ll" and all I can say is that it was a delightful surprise and
that it truly is a Work of Art. I wish more people could enjoy seeing
your work. Well done.
Keep up the enthusiasm and never stop drawing.
Sincerely,
Anita Tari
Teachers Credit Union
Hamilton, Ontario
Hello,
Wow, beautiful paintings, i would love to see more of them.
Jason Preston
Ottawa, Ont.
Hi Anna,
I am totally gob smacked on looking at your website today. Such an
output and all so wonderful. I am envious that you are self-taught, you
certainly were a good teacher to yourself.
Dorothy Goodman
Artist
Hamilton, Ont.
Thank you Anna,
We would like to thank you for your support in 2005. We appreciate how
much effort you went to in supporting what we do here. I am continuously
amazed at the generosity of a few very special people. That also goes
for the person who won the painting in the raffle, Louise from London.
And seeing how much I loved the painting she showed up at my door and
begged me to take it back and keep it in my home, which brought me to
tears. The painting raised 450 dollars and built a new raccoon cage and
also medication and other much needed items.
The painting is now sitting in my bedroom waiting to be hung above my
bed, so I can see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
It is one of my most cherished and favourite things in our house.
Without the help of people in our community I could not continue to do
what I love to do. We appreciate all the help, donations to our
fundraising efforts, and to our centre. Just knowing there are people
out there that care about wildlife makes our efforts a little easier..
Myself and all the animals that come into care thank you.
Debbie Beacon
Beacon of Light Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre,
Nanticoke, Ontario
Hi
My name is Christina, you came to our school, Mother Teresa, and you
showed our class some tips on how to sketch. Thanks !!
Christina Romano,
Mother Teresa School
Hamilton Ont.
Oh my gosh.... I just fell off my chair. What a beautiful painting of
Rylie !!!
Maggie Alvarado
Cookie Lee Jewelry Director
Sacramento, California
Dear Anna,
My name is Frank Horvat. I'm a pianist and composer from Toronto. I came
upon your name at the site, hamiltonarts.ca where I was then lead to
your site. I had a chance to see all that you do with your work in the
visual arts - congratulations! I find your brand of realism very
intriguing.
Thank you,
Frank Harvat,
Musician, Composer
Toronto, Ont.
Thanks for the great feedback, Anna... Keep in touch with opportunities
to go into schools.
All the best,
Jennifer Mossop
Member of Provincial Parliament
Ontario, Canada
Hi Anna!
Many thanks for the compliments from an accomplished artist like
yourself. Your work has great sensitivity and detail and I like your
pictures of children the best.
Gayatri Manchanda / Artist
Moscow, Russia
Hi my name is Valentine. I am living in South Africa. And I am an
artist.
First of let me say thanks to you to bring your work to the world so
that we can be motivated. And you have done a good work.I have interest
to your work, so I don’t know which procedure to follow to be next to
you, can you please tell me which mechanism are you using to have such a
great talent. Please tell me. I have interest in your work. I rather fly
to come to your place.
Valentine Mabutla / Artist
South Africa
Dear Anna,
I enjoyed reading your story on your web-site. I too am a self made
artist and have a similar story... it has been quite a journey to get to
the place I am at today. Oprah and her show has been a big inspiration
in discovering who I am and where I need to be in my life. I wanted to
show my appreciation by creating and sewing a gift for her. I would like
to include a picture of your painting of Oprah in my project, as it
would be perfect. I know as an artist, the time, energy and love that
goes into everything we create. Please know this is a one time
project... it is purely a gift.
Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Nilles / Artist
Geneva, Illinois
Hello Anna,
I recently came across your website - I like it - and would like to
permanently add your site to our website gallery links directory.
Sam Green
Gallery Assistant / Agora Gallery
New York, N.Y.
HI,
I just wanted to let you know that I really love the painting. It is
truly amazing, you are a very talented artist. It was an honour having
you draw a portrait of me.
Thanks again,
Candace Chapman
Women's Canadian National Soccer Team
Ajax, Ont.
Dear Anna,
I would like to thank you for the wonderful portrait .
You have a remarkable talent and I appreciate you sharing it with me.
Sincerely,
Mayor Larry Di Ianni,
City of Hamilton, Ontario
2003-2006