The 19th-century plein air tradition of painting has particularly influenced Nantucket’s art scene—however, not all of the island’s notable artists fit the impressionist mold. Anne Marie Bratton, who divides her time between Nantucket and Fort Worth, Texas, is an example of this as her technique focuses on photorealism. She was named Artist Honoree for the 2024 Artists Association of Nantucket Gala, which takes place July 13 at the Great Harbor Yacht Club. “Her process is hyperrealism, and specifically she is very good at reflective surfaces,” explains impressionist painter Robert “Bobby” Frazier, AAN artistic director and the 2020 Gala Artist Honoree.

Her oil painting, Seascape in Portal, will be honored as the final piece in the event’s live auction—there’s a total of 25 works from other local artist members. The proceeds from the evening help the AAN continue to support almost 300 artist members, host year-round art programming, and preserve a collection of historic art.



Bratton is thrilled to be this year’s honoree. “I tell everyone this is the Academy Awards of art. There’s no question. This is the highest honor you can possibly get. And what’s even more of an honor is when you look at the people who have been chosen in the past,” she says. “Those are the luminaries of the art world. … Those are the best artists on the island. They’re incredible, and the fact that my name is with them—well, I couldn’t ask for more.” Past award recipients include John Carruthers, Julija Mostykanova, Lynn Nicholas, Carol Keefe, and more.

Often seen around town and on the beach capturing images on her iPhone to create collages for her paintings, Bratton explains that the biggest compliment she can ever get is when someone says that her work looks like a photograph. “Sometimes, [the galleries] put my paintings in the photography section, and that’s a huge compliment because that is effectively what I was trying to achieve,” she adds.

Raised in New York City by her single father, the legendary Pete Rozelle (former commissioner of the NFL), Bratton spent much of her childhood reading books, sketching pictures, and watching television. When she wasn’t heading off to the Hamptons with her father and his pro football colleagues, she was developing her artistic skills. Her formal training began in high school at Rollins College and continued under the guidance of renowned art teacher Helen Silvestri in Fort Worth, focusing on photoreal drawing. She also studied at the Texas Academy of Figurative Art and continues to hone her craft with Laert Aleksi at Sabka Studio.

Looking back, Bratton has grown considerably since first showing the AAN her portfolio for membership in 2013. Despite having drawn and painted for years, she always gave her work away for free. During her application process, the AAN leadership challenged her to determine the value of her art. Determined, Bratton entered every possible silent auction to figure out the value of her art. She gathered pricing data, especially noting purchases made by non-friends and family, to determine her art’s worth. Since then, she has charged for her work, marking the beginning of her career as a true professional artist. In 2014, Bratton was inducted as an artist member at the AAN.

Bratton’s impressive portfolio includes numerous high-profile commissions. She has created works for the Kimbell Art Museum, the Amon Carter Museum, the Van Cliburn Competition (where she was the featured artist at Bass Hall), the Fort Worth Zoo, the Texas Ballet Theater, Artists Against AIDS, the Fort Worth Country Day School, and the Fort Worth Garden Club, where her oil painting White French Tulips graced that year’s invitations, notecards, and programs. In addition to these prestigious projects, she has completed numerous commissions for private homes and patrons, solidifying her reputation as a master of photorealism.



Bratton’s commitment to her craft and her ability to capture the intricate details of her subjects have set her apart in the art world. Her works are not just admired for their technical prowess but also for the emotional depth they convey. As she continues to push the boundaries of photorealism, Bratton remains an inspiring figure in the Nantucket art scene, demonstrating that dedication, skill, and a willingness to value one’s own work are key to artistic success. Her journey from a young artist giving away her work to a celebrated professional with high-profile commissions exemplifies the transformative power of recognizing and embracing one’s worth.