Meet Trailblazer Anna Rose Bain

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Rose Bain.

Anna Rose, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve been drawing and painting ever since I could pick up a pencil. I grew up in rural Wisconsin, where we didn’t have much available to us in the way of fine art classes or resources; however, I would constantly scour my local library for art books, and would spend hours drawing from life, photos, and my imagination. I received my formal education and a bachelor’s degree in art from Hillsdale College, graduating in 2007. I was honored to be the first student in the school’s 173-year history to have a solo senior show!

For several years after graduating from college, I took workshops and simply put in hours and hours at the easel. I did a lot of commissioned portraits and eventually started teaching. These days, I have two small children and fewer hours in the day to paint, but I firmly believe in using my time wisely. I still have a long lineup of commissioned works, personal works, and galleries pieces, so I try to spend at least an hour on my art, every single day.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wouldn’t say my journey has been easy, but I have been blessed with a strong support system. It started with parents who believed in my potential and allowed me to pursue art as a career in spite of the obvious financial risk. When I met my husband, he was also an incredible supporter and, with his steady income as an engineer, allowed me to stay at home and paint rather than pursuing anything on the side. I believe those formative years of painting all day long were essential in growing my skill as well as work ethic. That being said… when I look at the work I was making in my twenties, I’m usually a little mortified. I didn’t really know what I wanted to say in my work. Things got even more complicated when I became pregnant with my first child. I struggled to find my identity as an artist, all while dealing with the fatigue, insecurity, lack of motivation, and frustration every woman faces when they become a new mom. Even though it was a difficult adjustment, I found that pushing through, and painting whenever I could, helped keep me grounded. Then, to my great surprise, my daughter became my greatest muse and my work started improving by leaps and bounds. Ultimately I found a new identity in my art as a parent. So, when young artists approach me with questions about whether or not I think it’s a good idea to have kids and still pursue their art, I tell them, “Absolutely YES! You have to work hard and make sacrifices, but it is completely possible to have both. And it’s a beautiful life.”

We’d love to hear more about Artwork by Anna Rose.
My artist’s statement could almost perfectly be summarized by this quote from a Robert Browning poem, “Fra Lippo Lippi”:

“… We’re made so that we love
First, when we see them painted, things we have passed
Perhaps a hundred times nor cared to see;
And so they are better, painted—better to us…
Art was given for that.”

I work in oils and find great delight in all kinds of subject matter – portraits, figures, landscape, and still life. I am mostly known for my figurative work because that is where I find the most interesting narratives and design possibilities. I also adore painting skin tones and enjoy teaching workshops on how to paint portraits and figures. I can always nail a likeness — an essential skill for anyone doing commissioned work (!) — and am known for portraying children especially with tenderness and authenticity. As a teacher, I can always relate to my students because I’ve made every mistake under the sun and know how to guide them in a better direction. My work and my teaching style are both straightforward — there are no gimmicks or mysteries, just sincerity, and love for the artistic process and the people I work with, whether they are models, students, or collectors.

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Young women struggle so much with identity and insecurity. Having been there myself for most of my twenties, I would say this: Learn from everyone you meet, take lots of workshops, and spend as much time as you can making your art. But at the end of the day, reevaluate everything you’ve been learning and let go of anything (technique, philosophy, opinion) that doesn’t feel authentic to YOU. This can be confusing at first but so much of what we do as an artist is about instinct. Learn to trust your intuition and you will be just fine. 🙂

Pricing:

• Commissioned portraits are priced based on pose
• Gallery works are priced by the square inch and average at $8-$9/sq. inch
• Some originals and studies are affordably priced and available direct from the artist through her Instagram and website

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artworkbyannarose.com
• Phone: 608-853-0582
• Email: annarosebain@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annarose_artist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artworkbyannarosebain/
• Other: https://artworkbyannarose.blogspot.com/

Image Credit:
Anna Rose Bain

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