Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Chen.
Hi Anna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2020, I was a student at MUSC who was virtual learning and stuck at home, trying to pick up lots of new hobbies to fill my time. While my half-hearted bread baking and unfinished crochet projects didn’t last, one special project did. My boyfriend, Connor, was on a walk with his dog and he sent me a snap of D’Al’s Pizza, where we had our very first date. I wanted to print the photo as a gift for his upcoming birthday, but as I played with it in an editing app, I realized that it couldn’t be too hard to create a painting of it (and what else was I doing with my time, anyways?). I pulled out my tub of arts and crafts supplies and began to cut and paste together scraps of watercolor paper. The finished piece turned out so much better than I expected, and before long I was getting questions about commissions and custom works for other people. After graduating with my master’s, I decided to give being a full-time artist a go! I absolutely love being able to capture a special memory in time for people and create a one-of-a-kind work of art that reminds us how much the 4 walls of a building or place can mean to us.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’m still just starting out, but one of the biggest internal obstacles was convincing myself that I was indeed an artist. For so long, I was explaining myself as someone who “did art” or “was trying to make art” but I hesitated to give myself the big A label. I didn’t feel that I had the right education or background or accomplishments to be able to claim that title that I applied to so many people I respected and looked up to. One thing that changed my mind was reading a quote about running; if you put on your shoes and go for a run, you are a runner. It didn’t matter how far or fast or “well” you were running, but if you did the dang thing then you could and should claim it! That really changed my mindset about myself and now I love saying I am an artist, and I love telling other people that they are, in fact, artists too! I was so scared of the art world being full of gatekeepers and naysayers, but I have found that the more I open myself up to opportunities and vulnerability with confidence, the more those around me respond in turn.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in watercolor collage, which is a technique where I combine the more traditional art forms of ink and watercolor painting with paper cut and collage. Both ink painting and paper cutting are two traditional Chinese arts, and it brings me so much joy to be able to morph them together into something new while honoring my heritage at the same time. Each piece I make is made up of little painted, cut, and glued pieces of paper that all come together into a mixed media with a unique textural effect. I am very proud of every home commission I make because it is such an honor to be trusted with creating a portrait of someone’s most intimate and safe space.
My best seller, however, is Waffle House, which was a big surprise to me! I knew that I loved a good All-Star Special, but the response I have had at markets has been phenomenal. Everyone has a great WaHo story, and I love connecting with people over something that seems so ordinary and yet strikes a chord with our nostalgia and memories. I think what makes my work unique is exactly that; I strive to make collages of places that have a place in my heart. When people see it and have that same warm feeling, it becomes more than just a portrait of a building, but something beyond that piece of paper that connects us and puts us on common ground.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you want to support my work, every little thing counts! You can see my prints and custom options on my website at annachenart.com, but even if you are not in a place to purchase art right now, following me over at @annachen.art on Instagram (and TikTok… lol) and checking out my stuff means so much too. I love collaborating with other artists (and if you make art, that means you!) so feel free to slide into the DM’s or email me at annaart2023@gmail.com and we’ll get the ball rolling!
Pricing:
- 8″x10″ Archival prints, $35.00
- 11″x14″ Archival prints, $50.00
- Small 5″x7″ Custom Piece, $100.00
- Medium 8″x10″ Custom Piece, $200.00
Contact Info:
- Email: annaart2023@gmail.com
- Website: annachenart.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/annachen.art
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@annachen.art
Image Credits
Sparkles & Spice Photography
Rebekah Boss
