Anna Bis was born and raised in Krakow, Poland. Her parents loved spending weekends and vacations in nature. Her best memories are filled with trips to Tatra Mountains and summers spent on her aunt's farm. Throughout her childhood, Anna was fascinated by drawing and painting materials and the magic they could create. Later in life, plein air painting combined her love of nature and passion for drawing.
Although painting was encouraged as a hobby by her family, it was not considered a real carrier at the period of economic and political turmoil in the country of Poland. She graduated from the University of Economics in Krakow in 1999 and shortly after moved to United States. She now lives in Lawrenceville, NJ.
This life change opened up a different chapter in her life. Away from family and friends, Anna reached out for her drawing materials again, starting with a drawing course at a local school in Piscataway, NJ, followed by brief courses in Mason Gross School of the Arts, Princeton Art Council and workshops with renowned pastel artists: Casey Klahn, Richard McKinley, Albert Handell, Elizabeth Mowry, Maria Bagetta and Aaron Schuerr.
Being mostly a self-taught artist, Anna views art as a continuous journey and educational experience. Soon after moving to Central Jersey, she was introduced to paintings by Andrew Wyeth and fascinated by them. He became one of her favorite painters, along with Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne, Gustav Klimt and Stanislaw Wyspianski. All very different artists, but all equally fascinating.
Anna has experimented with various media, currently working mostly with pastels and oils. She favors pastels for their directness and unique simultaneous drawing and painting capabilities. Landscape painting seemed a natural choice which combines her passion for art and outdoors.
Over the past several years she participated in various exhibits, including Phillips Mill, New Hope Arts, Ridgewood Art Institute (1st place in 2018), Connecticut Pastel Society Juried Show (Jerry Artarama Award in 2018), Ellarslie Open (Runner Up Award, Pastel Category in 2017), Chesterfield Plein Air Festival (Historical Society Purchase Award in 2016).
Through color and line, Anna strives to convey her emotional impression of nature and its mystery.
Although painting was encouraged as a hobby by her family, it was not considered a real carrier at the period of economic and political turmoil in the country of Poland. She graduated from the University of Economics in Krakow in 1999 and shortly after moved to United States. She now lives in Lawrenceville, NJ.
This life change opened up a different chapter in her life. Away from family and friends, Anna reached out for her drawing materials again, starting with a drawing course at a local school in Piscataway, NJ, followed by brief courses in Mason Gross School of the Arts, Princeton Art Council and workshops with renowned pastel artists: Casey Klahn, Richard McKinley, Albert Handell, Elizabeth Mowry, Maria Bagetta and Aaron Schuerr.
Being mostly a self-taught artist, Anna views art as a continuous journey and educational experience. Soon after moving to Central Jersey, she was introduced to paintings by Andrew Wyeth and fascinated by them. He became one of her favorite painters, along with Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne, Gustav Klimt and Stanislaw Wyspianski. All very different artists, but all equally fascinating.
Anna has experimented with various media, currently working mostly with pastels and oils. She favors pastels for their directness and unique simultaneous drawing and painting capabilities. Landscape painting seemed a natural choice which combines her passion for art and outdoors.
Over the past several years she participated in various exhibits, including Phillips Mill, New Hope Arts, Ridgewood Art Institute (1st place in 2018), Connecticut Pastel Society Juried Show (Jerry Artarama Award in 2018), Ellarslie Open (Runner Up Award, Pastel Category in 2017), Chesterfield Plein Air Festival (Historical Society Purchase Award in 2016).
Through color and line, Anna strives to convey her emotional impression of nature and its mystery.
