Anna Kalachyan (b.1990) is a fourth-generation artist of Armenian descent from Los Angeles. As a self-taught artist, she has honed her skills through dedication, passion, and a deep exploration of her work.
Anna's art frequently explores themes of women and nature reflecting her desire for a more matriarchal world that works with nature as opposed to against it. She also aims to empower marginalized communities through her work. Often, she uses her figurative art to narrate the fascinating and lesser-known stories of ancestors from diverse communities worldwide.
Working across various disciplines, such as painting, printmaking, and fiber arts, Anna loves exploring and bringing her ideas to life through different mediums. With an international presence in exhibitions and collections, Anna's work reflects her rich heritage and the profound impact of her Armenian-American and Angelino backgrounds.
Can you share a bit about your artistic journey and what led you to pursue your current style or medium?
I'm a fourth-generation artist, so I've been exposed to and encouraged to create art since I was little. I did not pursue an art major in college, and after graduating, I actually ended up in marketing. A few years into my career, I started painting as a stress reliever, and a few years after that, I made a few prints and began selling my work wherever I could. I've been growing as an artist since then. I left my decade-long career a year ago and have been working as a full-time artist ever since.
Both of my parents were painters, so painting came naturally to me. As I delved further into my practice, I also took up printmaking, textile work, and embroidery.
What are some of the main sources of inspiration for your artwork?
Nature and storytelling are two major sources of inspiration for me. In my wildest dreams, we all live in a world that is kinder to nature, so I paint those dreams. I also love researching symbolism, traditions, and badass historical figures from various cultures and communities and bring that into a lot of my work.
Could you describe your creative process from the initial idea to the finished piece?
Every piece is unique! Some of my work is quite spontaneous; for instance, my textile collages are sketched out rapidly, almost like a stream-of-consciousness drawing. When I sketch something I fall in love with, I then execute it by cutting up and painting the canvas, and then pasting it all back together. On the other hand, much of my figurative work is extensively researched. This research fuels my creativity, and then I breathe life into the story through a lot of sketching, searching for reference photos, perfecting the composition, and eventually transferring it onto the canvas where I complete the painting.
Are there any specific themes or messages that you try to convey through your art?
I think the biggest message I work to communicate is empowerment through beauty. As an Armenian, I come from a community that has historically been persecuted, colonized, and massacred generation after generation. When your community is constantly faced with horrific traumas, that trauma starts to shape your identity. When that happens, your identity is owned by the very institutions that made your people suffer. This can very easily put people in a victimized mindset, and that is not productive. I want to highlight the powerful and beautiful untold stories of marginalized communities that lead to people feeling empowered, so we can all collectively work towards a better future for everyone. Prumsodun Ok said it best when he said that "beauty is liberation from suffering.
How do you handle creative blocks or challenges when they arise?
A lesson I continually learn is that when I'm in a creative rut, the best way to get out of it is to sketch, even if it's just scribbles or random objects in my line of sight. The muscle memory activated by sketching is quite powerful. Sometimes, I come up with the coolest painting ideas just by flexing those artistic muscles
Can you talk about any memorable or significant moments in your artistic career so far?
There are a lot, because all of my accomplishments are the result of the previous smaller accomplishments. One really big moment for me was the first moment someone bought one of my prints - it was a friend of mine that I hadn’t spoken to since high school and it left quite an impression on me that someone I knew wanted to pay for my artwork. After that – when a stranger bought artwork from me for the first time at a market. Then it was my first time getting into a juried art-fair, getting my studio and having my first group show with a gallery.
Are there any particular artists or movements that have influenced your work?
My aunt’s earlier figurative work had a lot of subliminal influence in my work - growing up around it really made an impression on me as an artist. The work of Yervand Kochar is also impacts my work.. I’m also very much inspired by mid-century graphic design and in the same vein, Matisse’s paper cut-outs have definitely influenced the forms you can find in some of my work.
Do you have any favorite tools, techniques, or materials that you prefer to use in your art?
All of them. No really, I love learning and playing with new mediums. I started out as a painter but then incorporated printmaking, embroidery, textile work and collagen into my practice. Learning new skills one of the few ways I can focus and calm down my anxiety.
Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions that you're excited about and would like to share?
I’m supposed to be doing my first-ever mural this year, and I’m ecstatic! I’ve always wanted to see some of my work on a massive scale and I finally have the opportunity to do so. Stand by for photos!
Lastly, what advice would you give to aspiring artists who are just starting their creative journey?
Just keep going! Even if you have to go at a slow pace. Having an art practice and growing it is not for the faint of heart. Try everything and anything because you never know where your next opportunity will come from.
