Anna Otaola Portfolio

 
 

48in x 60in
oil on canvas

Water Meets Sky: Infinite Abyss

Artist Reflection
CHAOS - To some, this word brings feelings of anxiety and panic, images of extreme disorder, and confusion. It is commonly said with undertones of negativity and a desire to avoid it entirely. Complete disarray. To me, Chaos is a being. Beauty reorienting itself or reintroducing itself entirely. It is Order, viewed from a different perspective that we are not comfortable or familiar with; that doesn't fit into our existing worldview or lens. It is an invitation to unlearn. An invitation to explore an abyss that is bursting with new colors, textures, and expression.


 

24in x 18in
oil on canvas

 
 
 

36in x 48in
oil on canvas

Wanderlust: Sitting Hours

Artist Reflection
I have a deep connection with the Irish landscape, and often refer to it, as Georgia O'Keefe would say, as my "Faraway". In the weeks preceding creating this piece I was navigating an incredibly challenging space for our family and spending hours of time in therapy. This resulted in me finding it incredibly hard to get up the momentum to cross the yard and step inside my studio to create.

Then, on a random Tuesday, the desire and momentum sparked at the same time, and I found myself in my studio painting this beloved landscape for hours. I played my music loudly, sang my heart out, released my feelings and let everything pour out onto the canvas. That day I had hours of therapy in my studio, without a single word spoken, where my body and spirit finally spoke. This piece, and many others that followed, is a part of my therapy. A part of my healing.

 

Water Meets Sky: Coastal Expanse

Artist Reflection
There is no right speed of inhaling and exhaling when it comes to creative energy. She will build and release on her own time. She cannot be hurried and I hope to never restrain her when she is ready to exhale.

Inhale : Exhale.

Both are necessary.
Finding the rhythm and allowing the space for both is my challenge.

 
 

24in x 48in
oil on canvas

Water Meets Sky: Dark Leads Me to Light

Artist Reflection:
The more I expand and grow as a human, the more dynamic I become, and the bigger a container I need to hold me - something to make me feel small. Something to measure myself against. The Ocean has been that container. Something that both diminishes me and encourages me to expand. I yell and scream at the Ocean and it responds, “Is that all you got? I can do this all day.” But what I have found is that I AM THE OCEAN. What contains the Ocean? The Sky. The Abyss of the Universe. I won’t allow my fire to consume me. I won’t deny who I am. I won’t make myself small and tame and safe for the comfort of others anymore. I am returning to who I have always been. I am letting my Fire out. I am letting it all fucking burn.

I am Ocean.
I am Fire.