Between Seasons - Turning Inward

"The Dance Between Seasons," 24x18", oil on linen panel, 2022 "The Dance Between Seasons" is the first truly quiet painting I’ve made this year. It conveys a sense of rest and introspection, even with the bright reds and "dancing" leaves. It's a slow dance. In my previous post , I talked about being drawn away from the desert, and towards the water. Water gives life, and it is full of movement and music. The ocean is not quiet. After a year of making paintings that are overtly exuberant, outward-focused, colorful, and energetic, this new piece is a welcome change of pace. My personality is such that I am naturally inclined to turn inward. But even with this natural tendency for introspection, I'm realizing that I too often deny that part of mysel… Read more »

Between Seasons - Turning Inward

Painting the Oregon Coast, September 2022

Once in a while, we artists need to get out of our studios and re-ignite our creativity with a bit of carefree adventure. I've written about many the solo trips I've done in the past (like Moab , Joshua Tree , and Death Valley ), and why they were so beneficial for me, especially at this chapter of my life (aka mom of small children). But, I don't want these posts to come across as complaints about my life. Nor do I wish to brag about how often I travel. I am surely grateful for my life as a mother, and  for the opportunity to do these painting trips whenever I can. I hope more than anything that they inspire my artist friends and followers to do the same. Art is taxing. Art making is the very act of pouring out oneself, and as a result, it is crucial that we refill our tank on a … Read more »

Painting the Oregon Coast, September 2022

75 Hard Days of Summer

I’m sharing a personal post today, and not necessarily art-centered (although really it’s ALL related). So bear with me! Yesterday I successfully completed a 75-day challenge called “75 Hard.” The rules are: 1) Stick to a diet of your choosing (I chose to do no dairy or gluten, and mostly meat, fish, fruits and veggies, plus no eggs because of current food sensitivities). Absolutely no alcohol or cheat meals are allowed 2) Complete two 45-minute workouts per day (one of them has to be outside, no matter the weather) 3) Drink a gallon of water each day. 4) Read 10 pages of a nonfiction book (audio books don’t count). 5) Take a daily progress photo. Fail and you have to start over at the beginning… You are probably asking, Anna, why would you do something so extreme … Read more »

75 Hard Days of Summer

Gold Medal Winner for "King of The Wild Things": Behind the Scenes and How it Feels to Win GOLD

Last month, I was honored to receive two awards for my painting, "King of the Wild Things," at the 31st Annual Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition and Convention. Not only was my painting voted to receive "Members' Choice," but it was also given the highest honor: the gold medal! This year's juror was two-time gold medalist Johanna Harmon, who is one of my favorite painters and someone I look up to. And this award... well, it's one I've been chasing for quite a few years. It was one of those boxes I always hoped to check, but very few artists ever get to.  Needless to say, I've been on cloud nine for the past month. Lots of you have been asking about this painting -- the inspiration and story behind it, how I created this piece, and of … Read more »

Gold Medal Winner for "King of The Wild Things": Behind the Scenes and How it Feels to Win GOLD

Being an Over-Acheiver is Overrated

In these past ten weeks since Christmas, I have completed seven paintings… almost eight. That's a lot. And they weren't just average paintings. I really needed for them to be great paintings (whether they are or not is certainly up for debate). When people ask, “How do you do it all?,” my acheiver personlity kicks in and I might be tempted to say, “Oh, you know I love my job! Work is easy when you love it.” And that may be true, but it isn’t the whole truth. To be honest, I have been stressed out of my mind. I’m frustrated with my work. I don’t even want to go back into my studio after spending so many hours in there lately (it's also cold... so my little space heater and the UGGs my sister gave me have been lifesavers :-)). Last week there were three days when I needed to take na… Read more »

Being an Over-Acheiver is Overrated

Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands Plein Air Paintings

Ahhhh... Moab!  I do love my solo trips to the desert. Seriously. If you've been following me and my work for a while, you already know that the desert is my happy place. In the past few years, I've visited several national parks such as Death Valley, Zion, and Joshua Tree, and each one has provided healing and solace for me in exactly the way I needed at the time. Earlier this month, I took a four day trip to Moab. No, I don't camp. I love a hot shower at the end of the day, and I like to cook my food over a real stove. So I always rent a small Airbnb with a full kitchen and wifi, and I make that my home base for a few days. Because my desert trips take place most often in the winter or colder months, the sun goes down by 5:00 or so. In the morning, I get up extra early, hike a… Read more »

Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands Plein Air Paintings