This week we meet the Russian-Australian contemporary realism artist Anna Speirs. Anna says: ‘My work is inspired by the beauty of Australian nature, focusing on tone, shape, and contrast. I often use objects from my local surroundings in my compositions.’ Anna was born in Kalyazin, in the Tver region of Russia in 1981. She has an older sister Marina. Her mother Natalia is an accountant and her father Mikhail, a carpenter. Anna’s interest in art began at an early age and she was mostly preoccupied with drawing and painting at home. Her parents recognized her talent and supported her educational choices; she attended the Kalyazin Art School from 1995-2001 followed by the Tver Art College from 2001-2005 where she graduated with a Degree in Design and Monumental Decorative Art, and the State Academy of Arts and Industry S.G. Stroganov in Moscow from 2013-2014. It was whilst she was at the State Academy that she took a vacation to Bali and met the man who would become her husband. Their romance took precedence over finishing school and Anna decided to move to Australia where her new life enabled her to become a professional artist. Anna has been a finalist for numerous awards and her work can be seen in various countries as well as being shown extensively across Western Australia and South Australia. Anna is married to Ben and the couple live in Perth, WA with their three children; Mitchell, Jackson and Ashlee. Anna’s website: https://www.annaspeirsart.com/Anna on Instagram: @annaspeirsart https://www.instagram.com/annaspeirsart/Anna’s favorite female artists:Robin ColeBernadett TimkoKristen Valle YannCharlotte SorapureSamantha DennisonZoe YoungRuth FittonKayla Martell Host: Chris StaffordProduced by Hollowell StudiosFollow @theaartpodcast on InstagramAART on FacebookEmail: hollowellstudios@gmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wisp--4769409/support.