We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Sneeringer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana below.
Ana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
Risk-taking often leads to creative breakthroughs. Trying new things, pushing boundaries, and experimenting with different techniques can produce fresh and innovative artwork. Plus, it’s a vast stepping out of your comfort zone, which helps you grow as an artist and an individual. Facing and overcoming challenges builds confidence and resilience, which can benefit your overall development.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a Slovenian artist now residing in Alabama, USA. I started my business career in documentary journalism as an environmental television station director. In 2010, I decided to move away from my country to pursue a different life. I started my life journey with my now husband, moving abroad, and experiences across Jordan, France, Russia, The USA, The Dominican Republic, The Netherlands, and India were a massive collection of knowledge where now I use these observations & learnings in my artworks. I paint women or their presence as an epicenter of my art. Living around the world and engaging with women from different cultures, I had always resonated with the similarities of emotions and experiences everywhere rather than the disparities of race or color.
My art practice is not imagined but a matter of being. It is an inner call that paints my story as a woman, vocalized through portraits and figures. Women are the protagonists of my work, with a reflection on human rights, empowerment, and the ability to break through barriers. My women are strong characters who have an energy of raw emotion and are not afraid to expose their true selves. Female figures manifested in quirky personas, showcasing their unique identities and attitudes, are at the core of my work. I want to celebrate these women, showing their confidence and ability to push through the norms of ordinary life. I believe growth begins when we escape our comfort zone. That awkward moment where challenging the unknown, and facing it head-on, propels us with strength and perseverance.
Color plays a pivotal role in my work. With saturated and intense colors, the viewer can be captivated by the bold females in their glory. They live in vivid fantasies, surrounded by unusual objects and symbols that reflect the characteristics of their story and my own. The disparities of race or color undefine the portraits, contoured with heavy brushstrokes and transparent faces. My encounters with different cultures have inspired me to create a modern woman as a kaleidoscope of worldly thoughts, emotions, and experiences. These canvases are a liberation. They speak freely from the heart, with women who follow their dreams and are anything but ordinary.
I am a self-taught artist , finding liberation in employing free will and speaking from my heart, unconfined by a learned discipline. I primarily use oil paints in my practice.
My art has been exhibited internationally in the United Arab Emirates, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, India, and Switzerland.
I have one of my works placed in private Collection in one of three National museums in India, Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, India. In December 2022, I had the honor of my artwork being exhibited on the screens of Times Square, NYC. And in 2024, one of my artworks will take place in the A.R. Museum of Western Art, Colorado.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I love working with young women to educate them about their rights and the world they are entering. Women don’t really need empowerment; they need encouragement, where we guide or show them how enriching their lives can be. By educating young women about their rights, you provide them with the tools so they can make informed decisions about their lives. Knowledge is power, and understanding their rights equips them to advocate for themselves effectively. It also encourages independence. It enables them to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and self-assurance.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
When collectors or just an observer of my art form profound and meaningful connections with my art, which profoundly gives me a gratifying experience as an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.anasneeringer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ana_sneeringer
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anasneeringerart
- Linkedin: Ana Sneeringer