Wednesday, October 30, 2013

30/30: Anca Gray



30 artists...30 days. Spend the month of October with me at The Altered Page to meet the 30 spotlight artists in my book The Mixed-Media Artist: Art Tips, Tricks, Secrets and Dreams from Over 40 Amazing Artists. See them in action in their studios, read their 'quirky' bios written in their own words, see some of their art that led me to invite them to be a part of my book, and hear my story of what they each mean to me. Then click on over to their sites and see what they have to say about The Mixed-Media Artist.


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"I expose the life and history contained in discarded vintage books, antique lace and doilies, kitchen scraps and other assorted bits of found objects.


 In processing these collected fragments into abstract and figurative paintings, I allow their stories to work on my own biases of brokenness and wholeness, of being and becoming.


My work is a relentless search for poetry in the debris, an affirmation of life and possibility."


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When I think of Anca and her art, words such as beauty, mystery, serenity, subtlety and strength come to mind. Her artwork is very distinctive and often blends abstract and figurative design - a combination that is very appealing to me. Her blog is entitled to live poetry, which is very apt given the visual poetry that seems to emanate from her creations. Many of the artists in the book were quite enthusiastic when they found out they would be sharing pages with Anca. She is a well loved artist.

I have followed Anca online for quite a long time now, but except for blog comments, we have not interacted. So it has been a pleasure to get to know her better through our communications and through the art and the Q&A portion of the book. One day I hope to meet her and perhaps then I will have a chance to see poetry in motion.
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GIVEAWAY

For every comment you leave in October on one of the 30/30 posts on my blog, you will have that many chances to win a signed copy of The Mixed Media Artist. I will be giving away a total of 3 copies. The more comments you leave, the more chances you have (but only 1 per post please). Please make sure I have a way to contact you. Winners will be announced in early November. 

54 comments:

Mrs Pretzel said...

I think Anca is a woman after my own heart.

liberal sprinkles said...

very impressive lineup of artists in this book, Seth. Love Anca's work. It has a quiet beauty and strength that resonate so much in my inner self.
grace

Angie said...

So beautiful. There is peace in her work.

Eva said...

Anca's art is just wonderful!

ArtPropelled said...

Looking forward to seeing Anca's contribution to the book!

Unknown said...

Amazing pieces, I loved the way she use poetry, the art of words in her works.

Jo Murray said...

Thank you for introducing me to Anca's work. I love the wabi-sabi aspect of her pieces, and her way of using words as an adjunct to them.

Jennifer said...

Anca's work is poetry embodied. It is mysterious, yet known and comforting, calming, embracing.....simply exquisite. We've never met, but each she posts a new piece, a part of my soul shouts, "Yes! That's exactly it!" as if I knew but couldn't articulate. Anca can and does.

Art Matters said...

I have followed Anca's blog for a while - her work is beautiful - serene and profound.

Roberta Warshaw said...

I love her use of neutrals color.

Peg Englishman said...

wow! Ancas art is beautiful and calming. I love her use of black and white........so soothing!

elle said...

Who needs colour! Well, not much of it anyway. ;) The texture is scrumptious!

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

What a wonderful take on collage and with such a restrained pallette to boot. Her work makes me want to dig into the piles of paper and fabric and make some art! I'll be adding Anca to my blog roll, so that I can spend more time down the rabbit hole.

Cynthia said...

Anca has a gift of creativity that is so admiring and inspiring.
She's amazing.

Maureen said...

Beautiful work!

Nan G said...

I am moved by Anca's work. Thank you for the introduction!

Unknown said...

Wow Seth, I am so looking forward to your book in which you seem to have assembled most of my favorite artists! I love Anca's work. Of all the mixed media artists I've seen, her elegant approach to the discarded reigns supreme!

Hue and Me Art said...

Great addition to your book.. Love words in artwork.

Chris said...

Lovely work!

Anita said...

Beautiful.. .thank you for the introduction! I'm looking forward to reading your book.

AJ said...

LOVE that middle piece of hers!

Unknown said...

Captivated by her work. I love the idea of incorporating the use of vintage book pages. Beautiful...

Bill said...

Unusual and beautiful art! She gives the word texture a beautiful connotation.

Jeane Myers said...

Anca is one of my favorite artists!!

Sandy said...

My work is a relentless search for poetry in the debris, an affirmation of life and possibility." This is the quote ithat I'll internalize from Anca's beautiful art.

wanda said...

I adore her work, yes adore, I wish I could think of something more! just love!

erin's art and gardens said...

i love her work, very much indeed.

anca gray said...

seth, you honor me with your invitation to be part of this great project and now again with your kind words. thank you!

infinitehalves said...

Truly unique point-of-view, love her work...great feature!

Irma said...

Agreed! Anca's work is mysterious and begs to be looked at closer. Your book truly has the creme de la creme of all artists... So excited to get my hands on a copy!

trish quilty said...

What a special artist; thought provoking art pieces both inspire and challenge ones mind.

Hastypearl said...

Obvious choice, Seth...Laura

Beulah Bee said...

Thank you for the introduction to Anca, an artist that also appeals to me. 123beulahbee at gmail dot com

Rose Curtis said...

I am so drawn to her work, I love her style and how I feel when I see her art. Thank you for sharing so many artists with us 😀

froebelsternchen said...

wonderful peaceful art!

Barbara I. said...

Anca is another artist that I was not familiar with. Where are you finding all these creative souls, Seth? I LOVE her art. I am a "scavenger" and use found objects and discarded books in my art so I'm very drawn to Anca's work. I am sad that the 30/30 is soon ending. It's been so much fun to meet all these new (and known to me) artists. Thanks, Seth!

bkisrael@gmail.com

Deborah J Bein said...

stunning work! dbein@hvc.rr.com

Candice Thomas said...

Her figurative drawings are so fluid and beautiful and gracefully combined with other elements in such an elegant way. Truly a unique and beautiful style.

Karenliz Henderson said...

WOW Amazing Artist! Her work is so beautiful. I could stare at it all day. Stunning.

Jane LaFazio said...

Thanks for the intro, Seth! I visited her site and bought some of her work from Etsy.

Mickie said...

One practically flows through her work, such a talented artist!

Robert said...

Absolutely LOVELY work! The "relentless search for poetry in the debris" is a task well worth the effort, and really strikes a chord with me!

Barbara Mason said...

Beauty and mystery indeed! Great works!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful work! Once again your choice is spot on!

Lura said...

love your work anca. wishing and hoping i get to read about you and everyone in seths new great book.

Jorin said...

I love art with stitching in it.

Christine Kiehl said...

This artist's work is right up my alley! I love what she has done with the vintage supplies! And how she states that it's her form of poetry! Thank you for sharing her with the worlD!

Hester said...

Interesting work!

Darlene K Campbell said...

I haven't had any trouble staying focused to visit the he 30/30 posts! Anca is visual poetry. There is a power in her work that definately is about storytelling. Love the materials and palette she uses.

Angi in hana said...

i went to her site right away, i immediately was drawn to her style, tx so much for sharing with us so we can be inspired, aloha, angi in hana

Patty H said...

Anca's use of text and imagery reeled me right in. I love the way she leaves a hint of the layers beneath the surface, appealing to my voyeuristic side of wanting to sneak a peek at the underworkings of things.

Gillian Pearce said...

Really love using found objects and can't wait to have a good look around your website. Just popped over briefly and loved what I saw.

Renee said...

Beautiful neutral palette! My personal favorite.

Anonymous said...

thank you so very much -- i have not crossed paths with anca before and i am impressed with her work -- so beautiful! i can't wait to see her contribution(s) to the book.