Anna Macdonald - Pet Portraits & Wildlife Art 2.36

Artist Statement:
It's quite simple why I paint animals and that is because I love painting and I love animals. While painting keeps me grounded and sane, animals have no voice yet big stories to tell. I need to give back in this big crazy world and the best way I can achieve this is by creating unique art that rises above the sentimental that beautifully captures their essence and story to ultimately bring joy.

Working primarily in acrylics on stretched canvas, I use colour, lighting and skillful composition with a classic/contemporary style to convey the animals’ story and essence. My backgrounds tend to be big gestural splatters of paint representing their natural habitat and personality. My aim is to portray them as individuals in a way that holds the same weight as might be given to the portrait of a person.

We need animals for their biodiversity and contribution to the sustainability of all life. However the psychological benefits they bring us are arguably just as important. Watching them can tell us much about and our own frailties, alleviating us from our stressful urban world to ensure our own emotional survival.

Biography:
Anna Macdonald is best known for her acrylic animal paintings and her ability to capture their essence and story. She has moved away from the sentimental by using skillful composition and intense observation to create something unique that brings joy to her viewers. Anna also works with various animal rescue and conservation groups by giving a percentage of sales to promote awareness and direct care for animals in need.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, she lived in the beautiful Marahau, Westport on the rugged West Coast, before settling back in Christchurch late 2014. She currently works full-time from her studio at home and her work is sold mainly online through her website. Anna will happily undertake commissions of your beloved pets.

With an English/Scottish heritage and a definite artist streak running through the family, Anna became interested in art from a very young age, (including drawing with pen all over her parent's wall and doodling in library books). She studied art throughout her schooling and has Diplomas in Graphic Design and Multimedia through Natcoll Design Technology and is presently studying Honours in Art and Creativity through The Learning Connexion.