October marks Black History Month, a celebration of the history, achievements and culture of Black people, particularly those of African and Caribbean heritage. For Annie, it’s also a moment to celebrate the artistry that has long inspired her work, especially the remarkable women painters of Mali, in West Africa.

Annie painted a chest of drawers that echoes the vibrancy and symbolism of this Malian artform. For her piece she used Coco Chalk Paint as the base and then Primer Red, Paprika Red, Arles, Graphite, Rococo White and Jaipur Pink as well as a Coco and Graphite Mix for the motifs.

She said: “I just love these amazing joyful and individual expressions of colour. For my piece I responded to the incredible boldness of the patterns which are usually geometric but can also be symbolic to tell a story.”

Annie has also invited nine Italian painters to participate in a Black History Month painting challenge, inspired by British-Nigerian Artist Yinka Shonibare CBE. Head over to our Chalk Paint Instagram account to see the masterpieces.