in depth with Anna Fox Ryan
my Relationship with Learning
I'm insatiably curious about the human experience. This has led me to independently study psychology, consciousness development, authentic communication, feminine & masculine polarity and integration, and collaborative leadership. That’s just the top of the list.
Human energy fascinates me. I have been researching its movement within body, mind and relationships for the past decade, especially in the fields of psychology and energy medicine. As an artist I have been able to visualize energy movement and document my experiences in physical, painted forms, communicating beyond the limit of words.
I spent two years studying shamanic energy medicine with Alberto Villdolo Ph.D. and the gifted Shamanic practitioners at the Four Winds Society Light Body School. I spent over 3 years co-leading an international conscious women’s group.
I’ve been contributing to the University of Virginia’s graduate psychology department since age 13 as a participant in the Kliff Project which studies the relationships of kids and how their adult lives later reflect early familial and social patterns. As a result I have been assessing my relationship dynamics at a graduate level for 20+ years.
Today I combine these experiences and many more to guide individuals and groups in understanding their own energy dynamics and activating their authentic expressions of power and creativity. This can support any and every aspect of life. It can create desired changes and sustainable progress. I share this work through classes, speaking, and individual coaching.
my Art History/Herstory
My paintings and drawings have examined the pathways of connection and separation in relationships. I've presented on oil painting, materials and practices over 150 times at over 20 colleges, universities and art organizations across the country.
From 2018 to 2019 I was the Program Director, Chief Curator and a permanent artist in residence at the Artist Residency in Kingman, Arizona.
I was awarded a year long artist residency with ArtHub in September 2017. During my time with ArtHub I expanded the program by bringing artist lectures to the local high school and hosting events for the local art community. During the inaugural semester of the new program, ArtHub reached over 200 students through class visits and field trips hosted at artist's studios. I advised on the merger between ArtHub and the local arts center, working with a team to establish an art education program that continues to thrive today.
In 2016 I was juried into a residency with visionary artists Alex Grey & Allyson Grey at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. In 2014 I attended the Barnes Artist Residency in Umbria Italy (it was delicious).In 2013 my paintings were presented by Neiman Marcus in King of Prussia Pennsylvania. My work was exhibited in Provincetown Art Museum in 2016 and 2017.
I earned my BFA in painting and illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design in 2008 and have been a professional artist since. I'm happy to say that my work hangs in collections of prominent individuals and institutions throughout the US and Europe. I lovingly refer to my collectors as "guardians". Each piece has its own spirit and when a guardian brings a painting into their home it is the start of a relationship and self discovery.
In 2020 I returned to live in the country outside my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.
I'm insatiably curious about the human experience. This has led me to independently study psychology, consciousness development, authentic communication, feminine & masculine polarity and integration, and collaborative leadership. That’s just the top of the list.
Human energy fascinates me. I have been researching its movement within body, mind and relationships for the past decade, especially in the fields of psychology and energy medicine. As an artist I have been able to visualize energy movement and document my experiences in physical, painted forms, communicating beyond the limit of words.
I spent two years studying shamanic energy medicine with Alberto Villdolo Ph.D. and the gifted Shamanic practitioners at the Four Winds Society Light Body School. I spent over 3 years co-leading an international conscious women’s group.
I’ve been contributing to the University of Virginia’s graduate psychology department since age 13 as a participant in the Kliff Project which studies the relationships of kids and how their adult lives later reflect early familial and social patterns. As a result I have been assessing my relationship dynamics at a graduate level for 20+ years.
Today I combine these experiences and many more to guide individuals and groups in understanding their own energy dynamics and activating their authentic expressions of power and creativity. This can support any and every aspect of life. It can create desired changes and sustainable progress. I share this work through classes, speaking, and individual coaching.
my Art History/Herstory
My paintings and drawings have examined the pathways of connection and separation in relationships. I've presented on oil painting, materials and practices over 150 times at over 20 colleges, universities and art organizations across the country.
From 2018 to 2019 I was the Program Director, Chief Curator and a permanent artist in residence at the Artist Residency in Kingman, Arizona.
I was awarded a year long artist residency with ArtHub in September 2017. During my time with ArtHub I expanded the program by bringing artist lectures to the local high school and hosting events for the local art community. During the inaugural semester of the new program, ArtHub reached over 200 students through class visits and field trips hosted at artist's studios. I advised on the merger between ArtHub and the local arts center, working with a team to establish an art education program that continues to thrive today.
In 2016 I was juried into a residency with visionary artists Alex Grey & Allyson Grey at the Chapel of Sacred Mirrors. In 2014 I attended the Barnes Artist Residency in Umbria Italy (it was delicious).In 2013 my paintings were presented by Neiman Marcus in King of Prussia Pennsylvania. My work was exhibited in Provincetown Art Museum in 2016 and 2017.
I earned my BFA in painting and illustration from Savannah College of Art & Design in 2008 and have been a professional artist since. I'm happy to say that my work hangs in collections of prominent individuals and institutions throughout the US and Europe. I lovingly refer to my collectors as "guardians". Each piece has its own spirit and when a guardian brings a painting into their home it is the start of a relationship and self discovery.
In 2020 I returned to live in the country outside my hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.
A Casual Interview with Anna
Where do you source your inspiration from?
My life experiences. I'm an HSP (which means Highly Sensitive Person) and I'm an empath. I basically feel everything and it's pretty intense. I use my art to process the big subjects that typically arise in my primary relationships (romantic partner, close friends, family). If I can translate a feeling or concept visually then I can reorient myself and find my right-relationship with it (be at peace in my power and ability to accept it or facilitate needed changes). Then I can just let it move through me. By releasing feelings and ideas into a new form like this I free myself of congestion or debris that might otherwise get stuck in my psyche or energy field. I literally paint, dance and create for my life, my health, my wellbeing. The fact that I have a ton of paintings that are both soulful and relational turns out to be an amazing bonus. Some pieces can even be used as educational tools, and that is what really keeps my soul singing. I want to be able to return some of the learning I've collected over the many years of this kind of conscious self inquiry. My latest works feel like a bridge into service in that way.
What is your next body of work?
I'm interested in finding strong partnerships to support the goal of using the arts to enhance education for mental and emotional health. Part of this includes implementing my paintings as educational tools. In the meantime I'm including these works in teaching programs for youth empowerment through the arts. My teaching is a necessary divergence from painting on my path of service. I consider this leg of my journey to be part of the overall body of work that is my life's work.
How do you sell your paintings?
People who have purchased my paintings have typically found me organically by word-of-mouth. I'm kind of a secret, but maybe the secret is getting out. I'm an introverted person and my works are highly personal, so when I'm approached for a purchase I consider both the sale and the relationship that my painting and I will be entering into.
How do you price your paintings?
It's based on value, not an equation. I charge what is fair and will provide me with a proper living as someone who has committed the past 20+ years and the rest her life to her mastery in the arts and pursuit of conscious awakening. When I set my prices I consider everything that went into the piece including the artistic, spiritual and psychological training and expertise. I also consider whether it offers a transmission or is a more simple documentation.
Do you accept commissions?
When the project is right. One theme of commissions that I enjoy are painting abstract translations of people's special relationships. When love turns into a colorfield, it can be ecstatic and stunning.
My life experiences. I'm an HSP (which means Highly Sensitive Person) and I'm an empath. I basically feel everything and it's pretty intense. I use my art to process the big subjects that typically arise in my primary relationships (romantic partner, close friends, family). If I can translate a feeling or concept visually then I can reorient myself and find my right-relationship with it (be at peace in my power and ability to accept it or facilitate needed changes). Then I can just let it move through me. By releasing feelings and ideas into a new form like this I free myself of congestion or debris that might otherwise get stuck in my psyche or energy field. I literally paint, dance and create for my life, my health, my wellbeing. The fact that I have a ton of paintings that are both soulful and relational turns out to be an amazing bonus. Some pieces can even be used as educational tools, and that is what really keeps my soul singing. I want to be able to return some of the learning I've collected over the many years of this kind of conscious self inquiry. My latest works feel like a bridge into service in that way.
What is your next body of work?
I'm interested in finding strong partnerships to support the goal of using the arts to enhance education for mental and emotional health. Part of this includes implementing my paintings as educational tools. In the meantime I'm including these works in teaching programs for youth empowerment through the arts. My teaching is a necessary divergence from painting on my path of service. I consider this leg of my journey to be part of the overall body of work that is my life's work.
How do you sell your paintings?
People who have purchased my paintings have typically found me organically by word-of-mouth. I'm kind of a secret, but maybe the secret is getting out. I'm an introverted person and my works are highly personal, so when I'm approached for a purchase I consider both the sale and the relationship that my painting and I will be entering into.
How do you price your paintings?
It's based on value, not an equation. I charge what is fair and will provide me with a proper living as someone who has committed the past 20+ years and the rest her life to her mastery in the arts and pursuit of conscious awakening. When I set my prices I consider everything that went into the piece including the artistic, spiritual and psychological training and expertise. I also consider whether it offers a transmission or is a more simple documentation.
Do you accept commissions?
When the project is right. One theme of commissions that I enjoy are painting abstract translations of people's special relationships. When love turns into a colorfield, it can be ecstatic and stunning.