Daily Inspiration: Meet Anna Podris

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Podris.

Hi Anna, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I started my art journey learning to paint at the Savannah College of art and design. Upon graduating, I was pretty determined to find my unique style and mode of expression. I wanted to combine everything I had learned and draw from all my influences (Marc Chagall, Gustov Klimt, Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, René Magritte among others) into a cohesive style.

Once I had taken the time to arrive at my painting style I began to show and sell my work in galleries. Eventually, I began to also sell work from my public studio at Artspace. A few years ago, I left that studio to join a collective gallery in downtown Raleigh- City Market Artist Collective- or CMAC. That’s the abbreviated version.

There’s no clear career path in the arts. A lot depends on your level of persistence. A lot is just luck. There have been highs and lows along the way. One thing that remains consistent is my desire to keep painting. My husband- Keith Norval- is also a painter. He’s my biggest support and encouragement!

I allow my style and approach to change over the years- as I’ve changed as a person. I’ve been a professional painter for 22 years now. I’m still just as excited about painting as I was when I started!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been smooth. Around 2008 the country went into a recession and art sales were scarce. I was pregnant with my daughter and had also broken my ankle. I had a really hard time getting around and wasn’t able to spend much time in the studio. I was also thinking- what’s the point in painting anything anyway.

There just weren’t a lot of people looking to buy art. Once my daughter was born my attitude changed. I was able to walk again and though I didn’t have much time to paint I spent quality time in the studio. I realized that making paintings was something I just had to do, but more than that I wanted to raise my daughter in an artistic household.

It was something my husband Keith and I both wanted.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I do oil paintings. I love color and I work a lot from my imagination.- my style could be considered magic realism or surrealism. I love metaphor in art. My paintings come directly from my connection with the natural elements and animals. Sometimes my work can be a bit mysterious because the metaphors I use feel very personal to me.

I love creating that mystery and intrigue, using color harmonies that say so much about how I feel- I’m not trying to make art that matches the couch. I have an ongoing series of interiors that I started during the pandemic. These interiors aren’t just houses- they represent whole worlds. I’m paying homage to those elements we can’t control- fire and water. I like to paint paintings of paintings. I see a painting as a portal to another world- to transport you.

Also, I’ve just started painting some underwater paintings. The thing that draws me to paint water is the way the world quiets when you put your head under. Also the way you can watch movement on the surface of the water. I have a newer painting- “The World Stood Still For Us”. The two women in the painting are just floating underwater- soulfully.

They also have dresses that turn into octopus tentacles. I was very interested in the way things undulate underwater.

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love the greenway. I’m lucky to live close enough to hop in my bike and ride.

I love the way the greenway connects and creates a way to bike all over without worrying about traffic. Being in the woods really fuels my art process. I worry that Raleigh is growing so fast that we are losing that rich culture that just takes time and history to create.

I worry that Raleigh has become completely unaffordable. This is bad for creatives of all types. The especially younger artist just trying to get started.

Contact Info:

• Email: annapodris@gmail.com
• Website: annapodris.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annapodris/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/anna.podris?ref=bookmarks