ABOUT ANISA

Artist Bio:

Anisa Williams is an emerging artist whose colorful abstracts and planar portraits reflect introspective, energetic, and spiritual moments. With a background in professional photography, film production, theater, improv, and writing, Anisa channels her creative fires into creating dynamic visual art.

Anisa began showing paintings professionally in 2014, and she has been refining her style in the dual lineages of abstract mixed media paintings and planar ink portraits. Most of her work is created on Ampersand Claybord, a kaolin clay prepared surface on specialty hardboard, which helps to define and enhance the organic processes of both lineages. She combines her understanding of the science behind her medium with courage in experimentation. Extensive world travels and exposure at a young age to the rich tapestries of the Indian subcontinent, Tibetan, and First Nations peoples have deeply inspired and influenced Anisa’s work.

In addition to creating her own works for sale, she also teaches her abstract technique to small groups.



​Artist Statement:

Painting and drawing are the slow version of a runner's high - it's the opportunity to set aside all that is associated with the world and my habits in it.  Creating these works is an organic process, lightly influenced by my hand and inspired by universal images: galaxies & nebulae, dreams, spirit walks, meditations, and people. I use oil, acrylic, ink, glazes, water, solvents, and other garage ingredients in my paintings and drawings, often through breaking the mediums through solvents, fire, salt, and science.

CV

EXHIBITIONS & PROJECTS

Ladri (Cover art & Artist Photography), 2017
Art.Downtown Exhibition, Palatte Cafe, 2017
The 3288 Review Journal Vol. 1, Issue 4 - Caffeinated Press, 2016
Art.Downtown "Past.Present.Future" Vertigo Music. 2016
Gallery 293 Holiday Open House Featured Artist. 2015
Abstract Online Exhibition - ArtisTTable, 2014
Little Exhibition - Richard App Gallery & ArtisTTable, 2014
Art.Downtown - Resilient Women's Art Collective. 2014 
Avenue for the Arts Juried Exhibition. 2014


EVENTS

Arts in Motion Chair Affair Fundraising Event 2017
Arts in Motion Chair Affair Fundraising Event 2016
Artist Workshop: Inks and Oils - March 2016
​Artist Workshop: Inks and Oils - January 2016
Arts in Motion Chair Affair Fundraising Event 2015
Arts in Motion Chair Affair Fundraising Event 2014


IN PRIVATE COLLECTION

New Delhi, India
Chicago, Illinois
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Haven, Michigan
Charlevoix, Michigan

THE FIRST QUESTION 

... is always "How did you make this?" I often laugh and say "Layers. Lots and lots of layers." Some paintings have three to five layers. Some have 25 to 30. Some take months to do and some come together quickly based on the conceptual idea. 

The secret to getting such a beautiful range of organic textures is start with Ampersand Claybord, a super-smooth kaolin clay coated hardboard. Inks, paints, and solvents react beautifully - and differently - on each board.

Inks, solvents, water, acrylics and mediums are applied to the virgin board and worked in various means. Oils are applied (the background colors), details added with additional ink or markers. The final step is a UV archival varnish which seals the paint and enhances the colors. 

Sometimes what I think starts as a blemish or "too much" turns into something delicate and exquisite once the final layers are applied. Most of the time I don't know what it will truly look like until the oils are applied.