Blog – Ann Sun Art

Posted on 8th December 20228th December 2022 by Ann Sun Art

Learn about the fascinating history of art with this artist interview!

‘…art is the soul of our society.’

An Interview with Maciasu X.

If you’re an art lover, you’ll enjoy this artist interview. The artist discusses the fascinating history of art and how it has influenced his work.

Introduction

In the world of art, there are many different styles and techniques that can be used to create a piece. However, one of the most popular and enduring styles is modern art. Modern art is often associated with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Matisse, and it can be seen in paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.

Modern art is often thought of as being more abstract than traditional art, and it often features bright colors and geometric shapes. Some collectors of modern art believe that it is the most important style of art because it represents a new way of looking at the world.

Modern Art

Born in the early 1900s, the artist known as Mark Rothko was a prolific painter and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Rothko was born in Russia and moved to the United States as a young child. He studied at the New York School of Fine Arts and later moved to Europe, where he became a well-known painter. Rothko died in 1970 at the age of 70.

Rothko’s work is characterized by its muted colors and abstracted shapes. His paintings are often compared to those of Wassily Kandinsky, another influential 20th century artist. Rothko’s work has been exhibited in museums around the world and has sold for millions of dollars.

Artistic Influences

Many artists have had a significant impact on their work, and it’s often difficult to pinpoint just one artistic influence. However, some artists have had a particularly strong influence on their work, and it’s often difficult to separate their personal artistic style from the art they were inspired by.

One such artist is Andy Warhol. Warhol was heavily influenced by the American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein, and his work is often characterized by its use of repetition and commercialism. Lichtenstein’s work also had a significant impact on Warhol, and the two artists collaborated on several pieces.

Other artists who have had a significant impact on Warhol’s work include Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Basquiat was known for his use of vibrant colors and graffiti-style art, while Haring was known for his colorful, child-like paintings. Both artists had a significant impact on Warhol’s work, and the two collaborated on several pieces.

Alcohol ink colors translucent. Abstract multicolored marble texture background. Design wrapping pap

Themes in Art

For many people, art is all about expressing oneself through beautiful creations. However, there are a variety of themes that can be found in many different types of art. Whether it’s modern art which typically focuses on depicting the radical and experimental side of life, or traditional pieces that focus on historically significant moments or events, artists have always been interested in exploring new territories. Understanding their motivations can help to better appreciate their work.

One particularly important theme that often crops up in contemporary art is the dilemma of existence. Challenging conventional notions about what it means to be human is one way in which creative minds explore this topic. In recent years, an increasing number of artists have turned their attention to social injustice and the effects that structural inequality have on individuals and communities. These works offer a sobering glimpse into our world and raise critical questions about how we should approach problems such as racism, sexism, and climate change.

No matter what type of art you enjoy, spending time exploring its various themes will help you to develop a more thorough understanding of why certain things are depicted the way they are.

Technique and Process

From the Beginning: A Brief History of Art

When it comes to art, there is no one right way to create a masterpiece. In fact, the process of creating art can be as varied and unique as the artist themselves. From the beginning of art, artists have been experimenting with new techniques and processes to create their masterpieces.

One of the earliest examples of this is the use of cave paintings. These paintings were created over thousands of years ago and use a variety of techniques, including painting with natural light and using symbols to communicate ideas.

As technology has advanced, so too has the way artists create their work. For example, some artists now use 3D printing to create unique pieces of art. This technology allows artists to create pieces that are impossible to create using traditional methods.

Although the process of creating art can be vastly different, there are a few common themes that often appear throughout the history of art. These themes include exploring ideas and concepts, expressing emotion through artwork, and using art to communicate a message.

Regardless of the process or technique used, it is clear that art continues to intrigue and fascinate us all. So whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, keep exploring new ways to create your masterpieces!

A Chat with Contemporary Artist, Maciasu X.

When it comes to contemporary art, technique and process are just as important as the final product. In this artist interview, we get to know Maciasu X a little better by discussing their process and techniques. From drawing inspiration from everyday objects to experimenting with new mediums,Maciasu X is constantly pushing the envelope. So, whether you’re a fan of their work or just curious about the process behind it, read on for a little insight into Maciasu X.

Maciasu ,can you describe your ideal work environment.

A cozy studio in a house with a large garden, in a forest near the city, far from civilization. I currently live and work in a similar place (but, I have neighbors, hehe). I prefer to create at night.

House with a large garden, in a forest, far from civilization. Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Do other interests influence your art?

Yes, there are several. In particular, music (heavy metal, film, industrial, ambient) but also sci-fi literature (Asimov, Lem, Huxley), mythologies, and … science (astronomy, geometry, physics. Everything that can both accurately describe reality and at the same time very get out of her frame.

Describe the best work of art you have created

I hope that such a work is still ahead of me. But if I had to point to some already existing ones, it would be works from the abstract series “Visions”.

Devil's Geometry by Maciasu x — Devil’s Geometry by Maciasu x BUY

Where are you from and how does it affect your work?

I come from a small town of Chojnice(Poland) situated at the junction of Kujawy and Pomerania. Forests, lakes, Kashubian climates. And seriously, I think that the place I come from instilled in me a very strong attachment to the ludic and simplicity in visual arts (see Kashubian embroidery)

Modern art in Chojnice,fot. by W.Wieczorek (polskaniezwykla.pl)

Who are your greatest artistic inspirations?

Of the old masters, of course, the greatest of them is Leonardo da Vinci, and Hieronim Bosch. Of the less old ones, Alfons Mucha and Otto Eckmann are certainly, but in fact, practically the entire art nouveau. From the more contemporary ones, my attention was drawn to the art from the Bauhaus in Berlin, works by Beksiński, but also currently creating such artists as the Italian artist Roberta Boffo, the leader of the American group Baroness and at the same time a great graphic artist John Dyer Baizley, also American Justin Coursey or the German painter Gabriele Bruns.

Vitruvian Man by Leonardo Da Vinci – Premium Matte Paper Poster Buy

Tell me about your favorite medium.

Once it was ink and water, today definitely digital, i.e., iPad, Apple Pen, Procreate and Vector Mator. Although I miss that feeling of “road of no return” in such an environment. But also, the undo function saved my ass more than once so it’s different.

Where do you find inspiration?

She comes by herself and that’s why it’s nice that I have my workshop and easel at hand, i.e. a device that is ready for the creative process in a dozen or so seconds. When it comes to places, I’m looking rather inside my soul and mind.

When is your favorite time of day to create?

I’m a nocturnal creature so every hour between dinner and breakfast .

Describe how important art is to society.

In my opinion, art is something that defines societies. It is timeless and sometimes oversized and is an image of the state in which a given group of people is, and more importantly, at the same time it has the ability to cause a specific state of such a group. In short – art is the soul of society.

What motivates you to create?

Motivation, like inspiration, comes out of nowhere for me. It’s definitely not a profit motive. It’s more a very strong inner need to create, quite a specific meditation and a safety valve . And it’s very irregular, sometimes I don’t touch the pen for several days, and sometimes 2-3 finished works are created in one night, or at least sketches for them. The art in me is capricious .

9da94bab-96ee-4200-98d3-a7724779302f — Devil’s Geometry by Maciasu x BUY

How do you define success as an artist?

The words success and artist in my opinion are a bit at odds with each other. But that’s my opinion. An artist is born solely from the need to create. You can’t just call yourself or someone an artist and measure it with a measure of effectiveness. Success is only the result of a lucky hit with the tastes of a larger group of people and does not result directly from the process of creation itself. It’s a side effect, but a very nice one I suppose.

Does art help you in other areas of your life?

Art helps me cut myself off from other areas of life, that’s what I love the most.

290760fe-019b-45c0-8543-5f4c480b794b — ‘Wake Up’ by Maciasu X – Premium Matte Paper Poster -LIMITED EDITION

How do you develop your artistic skills?

I just allow myself to go with the flow of what my soul wants to create. I don’t train any specific techniques if that’s what you’re asking.

What is the purpose or purpose of your work?

Only one, creation. Everything else is in the long run anyway irrelevant.

How can your work affect social problems?

There’s definitely one less nut on the street ( laugh). But can it affect any social problems? I don’t know, but I hope it’s only positive.

9af589e9-e599-47a6-881b-33a4198a9a42 — ‘My only twitter’ by Maciasu- Premium Matte Paper Poster LIMITED EDITION

Is there a specific environment or material that is integral to your work?

To sum up, silence, dark, right away and whenever I want .

c496710e-266d-4d13-8ed1-eb6a633cc16b — Fembots by Maciasu X- Premium Matte Paper Poster LIMITED EDITION

How do you collaborate with other artists?

At the moment I only work with the excellent gallery from London (www.annsun.co). In other matters, especially when it comes to the state of creation, I am definitely a soloist.

Browse Maciasu X’s artworks

Contemporary Relevance

Art has always been one of the most expressive and versatile forms of communication. It can communicate messages through its medium, be it paint, drawings, sculpture, or even photography. Artists continue to experiment with new ways to communicate their ideas and feelings through their artwork. This is especially evident in contemporary art where artists are constantly pushing the envelope to create works that are more innovative and visually arresting than ever before. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the most recent trends in contemporary art and interview an artist who is currently pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in terms of visual expression.

The Future of Art

The future of art is looking bright! With new technologies and methods being developed all the time, the field of art is sure to continue to grow and evolve in exciting ways. Here are a few of the most promising trends that artists and collectors should keep an eye on:

Art as a Service: As the world becomes increasingly digitized, there’s a growing trend for artists to offer their work online or through subscription services. This allows people to access art anytime, anywhere, and allows for greater customization and control over your art experience.
Augmented Reality: Art as we know it is about looking at objects in a static space; however, with new technology, artists are beginning to experiment with augmented reality, which allows you to see art in a new, interactive way. This could be especially exciting for artists who want to create more interactive pieces.
Virtual Reality: Virtual reality is another technology that’s gaining popularity among artists. By immersing you in a completely virtual world, VR allows you to explore different scenes and perspectives that you wouldn’t be able to experience in real life. This could be especially useful for artists who want to create pieces that allow you to feel like you’re inside of their work.
Blockchain Technology: As the world moves towards a more digital economy, blockchain technology is becoming increasingly important for tracking and managing transactions. Art is no exception; by using blockchain technology, artists can ensure that their work is properly credited and verified. This could lead to increased trust among collectors and viewers of art, which is sure to continue growing the field of art!

Posted on 26th February 20236th March 2023 by Ann Sun Art — Leave a comment

Coping with Grief Through Art: How Painting and Drawing Helped Me Process the Loss of My Mother

Mama’s Last Words: A Heartbreaking Phone Call from a Covid-19 Ward

“The most difficult goodbye I ever said was to my mother.”

I love this photo because it was taken by her, and it was the only one of its kind, the only photo of me taken by her. I know it may seem strange to some, especially to parents who probably have hundreds of photos of their children on their phones, in the cloud, and on other devices.

My mother was from a different generation, a generation before the whole technological boom. We had paper photos in an album, not on a smartphone but on ordinary paper, where you flip through the pages. There weren’t many of these photos, especially ones taken by my mother. That’s why this photo is so special to me.

It was taken in the fields behind my family’s house during a beautiful summer. I came to visit my mother with my children. I brought a new Nikon camera with me and asked my mother to take a walk with me and take some pictures to test it out.

It was a beautiful end to the day. The sun was slowly setting behind the horizon. The last rays filtered through the branches of young pines, and an orange glow reflected in the tall grass. It was starting to get cold. I set up the tripod and the camera, chose the right program, and my mother only had to press the button. We had a great time doing it, and the result speaks for itself.

Loneliness and the Pandemic: My Mother’s Struggle with Isolation

This is one of my last beautiful memories associated with my mother. Unfortunately, we had to spend the next vacation in London because of the pandemic restrictions.

My mother was devastated and very worried that the world would remain lonely and that no one wanted to talk or meet anyone anymore. She talked a lot about loneliness and how it was bothering her. I understood her perfectly, but I knew that it was easier for me because I wasn’t alone at home. I had children, and I was busy homeschooling them because the schools were closed, so my day was filled with various activities. To some extent, I even enjoyed such a life.

Reuniting with My Mother After nearly 2 Years Apart: Overcoming COVID Restrictions and Stressful Travel to Finally Visit Her

We couldn’t see my mother again the next summer, and it wasn’t until the summer of 2021 that I could visit her, although it wasn’t easy to get out of London and get to Poland. We had to go through various checks, COVID tests, and there was a lot of stress and associated costs. But we made it, and despite the difficulties, we could see my mother that summer.

It was a fantastic summer. The weather was perfect. At the end of our stay in Poland, I took my children and my mother to a summer cottage by Lake Kalwa.

Regrets of a Last Goodbye: Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

If I had known that these would be our last moments spent together, I would have done everything differently. I would have let her eat the grilled mushroom baguette I made her throw away. The taxi arrived, and we had to go, and I didn’t want the driver to be uncomfortable with the smell or, God forbid, if we messed up his car.

I knew it was serious: Struggles of Convincing Mama to See a Doctor

During the entire time we stayed with her, my mother coughed and wheezed, and had trouble breathing. I asked her to go to the doctor, but she didn’t want to. She said she already went, and the doctors said everything was fine. But I could see that something was seriously wrong. I wanted to go to the doctor with her, but she refused. She knew already then, but she didn’t want to tell us.

My mother coughed and struggled to breathe throughout her entire stay with me. I told her to go to the doctor, but she didn’t want to.

She said she had already been and that the doctors said everything was fine. But I could see that it was something serious. I wanted to go with her to the doctor, but she refused. She already knew at that time, but didn’t want to tell us.

An Empty Room: The Pain of Being Separated from a Dying Loved One

She had advanced lung cancer. After a biopsy, she had a collapsed lung and fainted at home. An ambulance was called and when they took her to the hospital, it turned out she also had COVID.

They put her in the COVID ward.
Only my brother was there and could bring her all the necessary things. But no one could visit her.

When they made a hole in her lungs to drain the air that had accumulated there, she felt better and called me. I was in London at the time.

A Letter Written Before Death

I answered the phone and heard her calm, very weak voice. She said,

“Anya, I feel better now, my saturation is better, I can breathe.” I told her that she would get through this, that the doctors would help her. Her last words were that she was calm and not afraid, and that she owed that calmness to us, her children.We spoke only for a couple of minutes, because she was very weak and said she need to rest.

Later,I found out that she wrote a letter in a few days before she died. None of us really believed that Mom wouldn’t make it. I couldn’t shake off the loss for many months, and it was hard for me to know that I couldn’t be with her, hold her hand, that she was alone in an empty hospital room.

The Goodbye That Never Happened

This farewell was a farewell that never happened. Unexpected departure and helplessness.
Because if I could, I would jump on a plane and be with her. Unfortunately, the COVID epidemic and related restrictions didn’t even allow me to attend her funeral. When my mother was buried, I was stuck in my bed at home, just because of COVID, with a 42-degree fever, experiencing my mother’s final earthly journey on my bed in London, online, watching the funeral on my phone.

For the next 2 months, I recovered and mourned my mother. But I will never fully come to terms with her departure and the fact that she died alone.

How Painting Helped Me Cope with the Stress of Losing My Mother to COVID

When I finally managed to regain my strength to the point where I could move around the house independently, COVID had caused me to become so weak that even ordinary daily activities, like taking a few steps from the bed to the bathroom, were as difficult as climbing a very steep mountain. After about two months, I started to recover, although my energy level is still not what it was before COVID. To help me forget the pain caused by the loss of my mother, I returned to painting, and this is the first painting I made after the break. Three leaves painted with watercolors. Painting helped me cope with the stress associated with my mother’s death.

Aya’s painting of 3 leaves using a watercolour Photo by Ann Sun Art

The three leaves symbolize my family home. The two leaves on the outside represent my parents. My father passed away at the age of 46, and my mother in 2021. The leaf in the middle represents me and my siblings, there are five of us. It’s amazing how what we sometimes draw or paint unconsciously shows our feelings.

Have you ever lost a loved one unexpectedly? How did you cope with the grief?
Do you find that art, such as painting or drawing, helps you process difficult emotions like grief?
How have you found ways to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away?
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your ability to grieve and mourn loved ones?
What advice would you give to someone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one?

Hey there, folks! Don’t be shy, let’s hear what you have to say! Share your thoughts, rants, or musings on this topic in the comments below! We’re all ears!

Interview with Aya, founder of ASA(Ann Sun Art).

Aya founded ASA in 2020, it was a year of plague and lockdown, it was a time of isolation, and for many people a very sad and hard time, but for others, this time of isolation has been conducive to creative creation.
Aya, what prompted you to create the ASA gallery page?

‘…I want to connect a community that brings together people like me, who love art, are creative, and want to convey something through their creativity…’

Woman painting on the wall.Black &white.Photo Credits to Austrian National Library

At that time, I had a lot of free time. My only task, apart from running a home and caring for children, including homeschooling, was part-time computer science studies. At the end of the module that taught how to build a website, the teacher suggested that we should try to make our website, so I started building it.

Because then I also started to paint, I decided that it would be a page related to painting.
Initially, these were just my works. I grew deeper into the art market and became acquainted with its community.

I concluded that I want to connect a community that brings together people like me, who love art, are creative, and want to convey something through their creativity, because I felt lonely in what I was doing. I don’t care only about creating.

I want us ASA artists to be connected in a certain creative way because thanks to this our message will be better audible and visible to our recipients.

Homeschooling during the pandemic in 2020.Picture credits Annie Sprat.

“…I work in London, so the works of artists from smaller towns and other countries have a chance to be noticed in a place where culture is flourishing and attracts huge crowds of fans interested in buying and investing in art.“

The name of the Gallery sounds a bit familiar and intriguing at the same time.

The name is a play of words and sounds. As you probably know, I released 2 CDs with the band Unsun. The name Ann Sun sounds very similar to Unsun, and I chose it for that very reason. My real name is Anna, so everything fits. I wanted my art activity at Ann Sun to be a kind of continuation of what I started in my band. That’s why I chose a similarly sounding name: Ann Sun is not a name for a single person, but a variable, made for our artists.

How did it happen that you started to paint?

When I realized that I was no longer able to fulfil myself in music, my memory took me back to a state in which I could spend days and nights painting. I was thinking of it every day.

I felt that I wanted to paint again and that I could do it.

I became calmer. I stopped thinking about non-existent things. As if I had moved back in time to the times when I was really happy, young, largely naive and with a huge dose of trust in people. That trust I had lost somewhere in the last few years.

Thanks to the fact that I returned to painting, I felt like I was born again. Or maybe I found my way, from which I deviated.

After having long-term health problems and being unable to sing, I had to release my creativity and desire to create somewhere. I have used some of my creativity with solving programming problems or math, but a part of it was still trapped somewhere inside me.
Painting seems to be a perfect solution for freeing that trapped energy.

Painting allows you to release energy.Photo credits:Caleb Salomons

I see that there is a new artist in the ASA gallery What do you have to do to join ASA and what are the advantages?

A few weeks ago I got in touch with one of my old friends, whose art I have been a fan of for years. I asked if he would like to cooperate with me and he agreed.

Maciasu X (Maciej Maka)He is Polish songwriter, music producer and graphic designer and specializes in vector graphics and freestyle.

Katsumix has been with us almost from the very beginning and soon more of his works will be available in our gallery.

On the plus side, it is undoubted that I work in London, so the works of artists from smaller towns and other countries have a chance to be noticed in a place where culture is flourishing and attracts huge crowds of fans interested in buying and investing in art.

Wall graffiti at one of London’s secondary school.Picture credits :Aya

Besides, through my earlier artistic activity with the band Unsun, I have personally met many famous artists from the music scene, mainly metal, but also people associated with art. Music is not so different from painting. And in some ways it makes it easier for me to reach people with my art. All these years of working with Unsun now allow me to harvest fruit, although it still costs me a lot of work and energy.

With the passage of time and further development of the ASA gallery, I will definitely need a ‘hand to help’ because now it is a lot of work and a day seems to be short by about 4 hours.

To be continued…

Posted on 20th August 20225th September 2022 by Ann Sun Art

Aya’s new artworks.

We have enriched our gallery with a few new masterpieces. You can find them here Products Ann Sun Art.

All of them are available in print formats with super fast and secure delivery to 32 destinations.

They have been added to the Open sea platform and are also available as NFTs.

You can access them here: meta-majestic-angels

The angels were created by Aya in one of the AI picture-generating software and edited afterward. The original idea was to create something else, something similar to Aya’s most recent bird watercolor. Both creations have many common features. However, the AI software take on Aya’s directions was clearly something not from this world and nothing but a surprise. Birds were something she initially was trying to create. Even countless tries of different variations to get to a more desired look didn’t deliver 100% of what she was after. That is why the name of the series is Angels and not Birds. There are hundreds of variations of these sublime creatures and many of them are modified and have something added by Aya. They are unique, each of them is completely different as you can see yourself. Each of them gets a meaningful name depending on how she is feeling at the moment. Through the Angels series, Aya desires to spread positive vibes amongst her audience.