meet Addie Hirschten

Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Addie Hirschten is a contemporary painter, art teacher, author of several books, and host of the Studio Alchemy Podcast.  They sign their paintings with the name Vita after the garden designer, Vita Sackville West. Hirschten currently lives and teaches in the Studio Alchemy Art Gallery in Indianapolis Indiana. 

Hirschten earned a Bachelor of Fine Art from Appalachian State University graduating in 2000.  After working for a number of years as a children’s librarian, they went on the earn a Master of Library Science from Indiana University in 2010.  When they moved to Indianapolis in 2011, they spent several years conducting performances for children in libraries throughout the state of Indiana as well as working as a public speaker for community organizations and Unitarian Universalist churches. Hirschten also works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator.

Hirschten’s style can range from abstract expressionist work to impressionism that reveres the sacred beauty of the natural world. Hirschten is a Purdue University Extension Master Gardener and incorporates the botanical images into artwork. Her other serious hobby is playing old-time and early blues style violin.