Anna Bastida, Artist

Biography

I was raised with an eye for beauty and love for art near Seattle, Washington. I have always loved nature and travel. I spent afternoons in my father's architecture studio and summers in Sweden, where two of my closest cousins are ceramic artists. After high school, there was no consideration of studying anything but art and design. The question was how and where. As a high school senior, I applied for The Pratt Institute National Talent Search and won in two divisions. With two grants and full scholarship, I took off for New York City full of excitement and ambition.

I worked in the medium of clay for almost 20 years. My main focus was handmade tile mural installations and free form vessel sculptures. Working with marginalized youth, we created several large custom mural installations for nonprofit organizations.

Single parent at age 29, I went back to university to study art education. This time, a full minority scholarship for being non-black in a predominately black university in Alabama.

In 2003, a back injury was the final indication to change mediums. See how difficult circumstances can push us on to true fulfillment? I have been flourishing with intensive colors while my soul assimilates their vibrancy as I paint.

I now create in two dimensional medium of acrylic collage. This has been an exciting period enabling me to express myself in the most luscious and bright colors not possible in stoneware ceramics.

Ultimately, my work has been to find, express, and share, the truth of my being. I teach yoga and meditation and practice devotional yoga while painting.