Our Autumn Open Call Memento Vivere runs October 10th to 18th, featuring twenty-three artists showcasing a range of styles and mediums.

Currently based in Dunoon, Anya traveled with her dog Artemis from Italy to Scotland to seek the land and trees that inspired her artist’s book while she was studying art in Florence for a year. The views of lochs, wildlife, and trees in Harry Potter inspired her to create a book and to further pursue bookbinding in the UK. Anya is passionate about nature, animals and magic. She loves to explore trails in Scotland with her dog and adores the trees of Scotland, especially the Scots Pine. Originally from Russia, Anya grew up in California where she received schooling in International Policy and Business. Anya is also a certified yoga instructor and enjoys playing sound bowls and the guitar.

How did your artistic journey start, Anya?
Collapse catalysed this path.

How did you arrive at the theme of your work?
I arrived at the story while writing a letter to my therapist, whilst struggling to trust myself against doubt. The work grew and evolved through what was constant: loving devotion to my dog, the trees, and the land.

Can you walk us through your creative process?
It’s yoga or an intuitive walk where the feet guide – no compass, no map, no real plan at the start. The creative light shines through the quieting of the mind.

What challenges did you experience during the creation of your work and how did you overcome them?
Financial and emotional struggle; judgement and doubt; doubt from others and the inner critic. Instability and going against the current of societal convention to carve my own path. To be an artist is to embrace honesty and to be reminded there is more we do not know than we do in this life. So who is to say what is possible and what is not? I would overcome the struggle by grounding through practices like yoga and meditation and walking in nature with my dog to regain the confidence to proceed with the book and the art – the only certainty that felt right in an otherwise uncertain life.

How do you overcome creative blocks?
I write, that’s all. Uninhibited, unfiltered. That’s where I start. I listen to my heart, well, that’s in essence what the story I wrote is about.

What advice would you give to artists who are just starting out?
Proceed and be bold. Listen to your heart.

See Anya’s work as part of Memento Vivere, which runs at Six Foot Gallery until Friday 18th October.