Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Ayres.
Hi Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been an artist at heart. As a youngster growing up in the very rural state of Vermont, I spent hours playing outside in the woods, where an endless universe of wisdom could be observed and discovered. This is where my visual voice took root. I leaned into art through my formative years, loving my high school and college art classes. I was fortunate to attend a semester abroad in London, where I visited world-renowned museums and galleries with artists I knew of only from books. It sparked something within me. Following college, I moved west to California but came home to Vermont shortly after, and seeing the springtime with a new perspective sparked something in me again. This is when I truly began painting. I saw and felt an energy in the blooming spring life that I desired to show in painted form. I have been painting ever since, exploring oil, acrylic, and watercolor along the way. Oil is my greatest love. It is playful and luscious and is an excellent match for the energy I sense in nature.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Art is challenging. Art is rarely smooth. It constantly brings our inner critic to the surface, but that is a big part of the point. We show up, start anew every day, overcoming every time we begin our work. I have tried leaving art behind many times or reinventing how I share it with the world, but ultimately it is who I am, and I can not deny myself the luxury of being anything else in this lifetime.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a painter specializing in 2-dimensional landscape art with a dream-like quality that is simple and elegant. I am known for my deep appreciation and focus on nature, especially botanicals, birds, and coastal scapes. Two years ago, I began painting residential murals for businesses.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
So many! I love to read and learn so much every time I pick up a good book. I am re-reading “Art & Fear” by David Bayles and Ted Orland. I love “Pussy: A Reclamation” by Regena Thomashauer, The Four Agreements. I could go on and on, but anything related to art making, yoga & meditation, spirituality, personal development, etc. Regarding podcasts, I love The Medicin, The Rich Roll Podcast, We Can Do Hard Things, The Abundant Artist, and Art Money Podcast with Maria Brophy. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artbyannaayres.com
- Instagram: artbyannaayres
- Facebook: Art by Anna Ayres or Anna Ayres
Image Credits
Picture of me painting on a ladder on a mural: Amanda Salty
