Anna Bastida, Artist

Biography for Anna Bastida , artist.

I was raised with an eye for beauty and love for art near Seattle, Washington. I 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 sculpture.

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. People are astounded that I settled in Alabama. Why? It's the place to make a difference. I don't know why more so called radicals from out west don't come here and spread consciousness. I work part time in the local community as a yoga teacher and ceramics teacher. I have pursued Hinduism for many years and am in the process of sharing meditation and kirtana.

I kept working in clay and focused more on developing handmade tile collections. I also spent 5 years building my art studio and temple. Eventually, the more I worked with grey clay, the more felt the yearning to express my love for bright intensive color.

Last year, 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.

Method: The medium of my paintings is acrylic on paper collage with a resilient polymer coating. This durable coating has a glass like sheen and durability. The paintings are self framed. I begin with painting patterns of large sheets of paper with my absolutely favorite luscious colors. I cut out the designs and apply them to ¾-1 inch hardwood boards. The Acrylic polymer coating takes 3 days to harden. Then the edges are sanded and painted in complimentary color so the pieces apear to float from the walls.