ARTISTic influences

• Nature is a powerful influence. While living in Concord, MA, I became immersed in the thinking of Emerson and Thoreau.

• I am enthralled by the colors and texture of Van Gogh’s work.  

• As an architect, form, structure and flow influence my artistic expression. 

• Seasonal residences reignite my perception of their distinct color palettes, which is reflected in my work. 

ARTISTic Process

• Acrylics allow me an enhanced sense of freedom, movement and rhythm. 

• Some pieces are done quickly because they work well immediately, while others require persistence.

• I get lost in my work and fall into the experience.

• When a piece is complete, nothing more is wanted or needed. It is clearly done! 

• The meaning of my work evolves for me during its creation and over time.

• My perception of my work will vary from a viewer’s. Each person reacts according to their own experience.

qualities of my work

• My "Abstract Realism” incorporates realistic elements within abstract work.

• My art references the natural elements of fire, water, earth and air which evoke for me the interrelationship of many feelings an emotions.  

• While integrity, composition and balance are key, I love the spontaneity of a piece that is loose, open, free and flowing, both organic and structural.

• I include texture through collage, mixed media and layering.

• I naturally gravitate toward blues, greens and other cool tones, with a splash of red for warmth and vibrancy. 

ARTISTic Origins

• Very early I enjoyed creating with my grandmother. We made crepe-paper flowers and a miniature Christmas village that expanded each year.  

• I was tremendously impressed that my mother took time to paint. I was her biggest fan.

• I continued drawing and painting throughout my school years.

• I became an architect to combine my love of both art and analytics into a career.

• One of my jobs required me to pass by the Museum of Modern Art in New York City every day. Spending as much time there as possible felt very special, as if the museum was there just for me.  

• My brother asked me to paint a portrait of each of his three children when they were a year old. I was amazed as each of these baby faces became recognizable as the person they would become.  

ARTIST’s bio

• Fine art is Anika’s passion, though not her first career. 

• Anika holds degrees in architecture from Pratt Institute and UC Berkeley. Among other building types, she designed wineries in the California wine country. She also served as a corporate architect, directing the work of major architectural firms for a fast growing, technology company.

• Anika earned a Masters in Business Administration and transitioned into organizational strategy. As an independent consultant to some of the largest corporations, healthcare institutions and universities, she developed a unique methodology, combining systems thinking and scenario planning, to lead firms to develop robust future strategies for their organizations. Her work has been published in professional publications. She is the co-author of Life-sustaining Organizations: a Design Guide.

• In 2005, Anika turned her attention full time to her first love — fine art. She now focuses primarily on acrylic painting and porcelain ceramics. Anika’s work is exhibited in shows and galleries in New England, New York, DC and Florida.

• Anika is an inducted member of the National Association of Women Artists based in New York City. She is an active member of Newburyport Art and the Experimental Group of the Rockport Art Association & Museum.

   

A Quote

that struck my soul and stayed with me…

"I'm not interested in 'abstracting' or taking things out or reducing painting to design, form, line, and color. I paint this way because I can keep putting more things in it - drama, anger, pain, love, a figure, a horse, my ideas about space. Through your eyes it again becomes an emotion or idea."

Willem de Kooning