A Brief History of Anna
I have always had a passion for Art my entire life. As a child in Uzbekistan, my birthplace, immersion in both Russian culture at home, and Middle Asian culture outside was the norm. A deep appreciation for both lives in my heart, and is expressed through my work.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, many ethnic Russians immigrated back to Russia due to growing nationalism and ethnic tensions in the Ex-Soviet Republics. Though our family had been there for four generations, most of my family took that path in 1992, landing in Kaliningrad, Russia on the Baltic Sea in the far West of Russia. I chose to stay behind with my Daughter and care for my Grandmother until her passing in 2000.
In the mean time, my Sister met and Married an American, and immigrated to the United States. During one of my visits, I too, met and fell in love with an American, and eventually remarried, also getting a Step-Daughter and cat in the deal. My Daughter followed me after a very long three year bureaucratic separation. Uniting our family-of -four was the entire focus of my Husband and me for quite some time. After we accomplished this goal, I was able to turn my attention back to what I should do with my life in America.
Family and friends encouraged me to turn my passion into an avocation. I spent a couple of years in school to sharpen my illustration and computer skills. Later, per chance, I was introduced by my Husband to Larry Favorite of Favorite Designs, who creates astonishing objects carved and constructed from Ironwood with Turquoise meticulously inlayed into the natural cracks and fissures in this beautiful wood. Larry had been a consumer of my Husbands’ computer expertise and my Husband had been a consumer of Larry’s art.
Larry offered me the opportunity to learn about his amazing craft. I jumped at the chance, and never looked back. I have not pursued my graphic arts degree any further, though I learned many useful things. My art has been rapidly evolving combining the many cultural and artistic influences that have been combined to make me who I am.
I hope that you find the same joy in my art that I had creating it…
Anna Kurtz