Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Katrina McBride.
Hi Anna Katrina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a Visual Artist, Public Art Muralist, and founding member of the Chroma Pop Long Beach female art collective. I am also a co-founder of McBride Arts, a mural team.
I currently show my paintings at art shows in Long Beach and the Hive Gallery in LA. Recently, I moved into my first art studio at a shared warehouse with three other artists in Signal Hill. I primarily got this space to prepare for a window installation for the Torrance Art Museum located at the Torrance Mall. The installation will be up from January through March 2024 at the Discover Torrance Visitors Center.
I’ve always known myself to be a Visual Artist and was determined to get into an arts-focused charter school, Orange County School of the Arts, at a young age. I then spent some time in my early career doing graphic design for a non-profit humanitarian organization and an environmental firm. For the past six years, I’ve been a self-employed Artist, primarily working on Public Art murals with my partner & husband, Kenny McBride. I also work as a contractor Preparator at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, preparing the rotating exhibits.
Two years ago, I reconnected with other members of the Long Beach art community to start a female-led Art Collective called Chroma Pop. We host monthly meetups called “Sketch Eazys” at Selva Restaurant in Long Beach to doodle, dine and network with each other. These events are open to the public to enjoy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I knew early on art would be a challenging career, but I always have a passion to overcome any struggles. The biggest struggle I encounter is keeping up at physical strength to complete a large-scale project. Each project has a different challenge to overcome. Sometimes it’s painting outdoors during summer on a hot day, or on cold nights in the winter. Other times it’s rushing with limited time and/or also facing the elements. I’ve learned to get lost in the technique to overcome any discomfort. I focus on one step at a time and tend to surprise even myself with the outcome.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I see my role as an artist to explore being an architect of visceral and esoteric experiences and the physicality of space. I am infinitely inspired by nature and bright colors. I hope to share this passion with others, connecting us together through visual communication that evokes embodied feelings for that abundant source of inspiration. I believe the world should be a more colorful, loving space for all life. I tend to focus on the feeling of the animal spirit when I paint them, not necessarily their exact physical state, using colors to describe their essence. If I paint a person I paint someone who stands out in an inspirational way. Sometimes it’s for pure learning and I just want to explore the way light looks when reflecting off a bubble or being emitted from hot magma. I see each painting as an opportunity to learn and grow as an artist.
My proudest work was a community public art project commissioned by Puente Latino Association. I set up a “paint by number” style activity for the base coats, and together with the community we painted three-panel murals of Alebrijes. The murals are portable, and have attended many events in Long Beach with Puente. They will ultimately be installed in an alley nearby Starr King Elementary School for an alley beautification grant in North Long Beach. I like to think of them as “spirit guardians” for the community, protecting us and inspiring our imaginations.
When creating public art, I believe the art should be created in this way with the community. This includes the concept and painting together whenever possible. Often when I finish the mural or installation I will move on, and it then becomes part of the environment where it resides. In this way, I see my role as an artist as a vessel for the beautification process and experience.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I have many teachers, supporters, and colleagues that have encouraged me along the way to which I am grateful. I’d like to thank my family first and foremost, for encouraging and supporting me as a young artist. I also want to thank my partner and husband, Kenny McBride, for dedicating his career to starting a family art business together. I also want to thank fellow artist, Cassandra Rowden, for being my closest friend and starting the art collective Chroma Pop together. She is always encouraging me to show up for myself and the community with these public projects and shows. I want to thank Dave Parsons for teaching me many techniques with professional fabrication and faux design. I have a big shout-out to the Long Beach and Santa Ana art communities for nurturing my growth and providing the opportunity to be a full-time artist.
Pricing:
- Fine Art Prints- $20-$60
- Fine Art Original Paintings- $100-$2,000
- Murals- $15-$30/square foot* *Price range depends on level of detail
- Installation Panel Murals- $1,000-$2,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kmcbride.wixsite.com/annakatrinaart
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/anna_katrina_art
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anna.katrina.art
Image Credit:
Personal photo: Rique https://www.instagram.
