With the exception of recording and appearing with close friend Kid Congo Powers and New York duo Sister Boy, Annie started a hiatus from music in 1990. Being in her words 'driven insane by the hues' during a period of living in Mexico, the New Yorker returned home determined to teach herself painting, something which she had dabbled in previously, by devoting a full year of average 16-hour days. Employing every medium with the exception of oils, her work has been described as having a "naive style", which is "figurative, metaphorical and surrealistic, with a strong emphasis on color; often combining tortuous, expressionistic cityscapes with Biblical imagery". "God and Science", was inspired by the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. She first exhibited as part of a group show curated by artist the late Louis Laurita, who provided her much encouragement and guidance. Annie had her first solo gallery show four years later in 2002.