Studio Visit: Anita Ognjanovska in Skopje, North Macedonia

Tucked away along a quiet street just outside Macedonia’s largest city is the studio of one of our favorite contemporary abstract artists. Anita Ognjanovska only recently became a full-time artist during the pandemic where she completely pivoted her focus into dedicating more hours to painting, and of course, being a lot more active on social media. Very quickly, she received an overwhelmingly positive response from her audience and community of collectors she was growing everyday, and the experience made her realize that this type of success comes from treating your passions very seriously, so she decided to pursue painting as a full-time career right then and there.

We sat down with her to get her perspective on how she evolved into this profession.

Tell us a little about you and how you got to where you are today.

“I am a contemporary artist living and working in Skopje, Macedonia. I am a creative individual, with a lifelong passion for various forms of art. Over the years, I have been involved in numerous artistic endeavours, such as working on an analogy animated film project for over a year and acting in one of the most popular TV comedies show in my country for more than five years. However, after becoming a mother of two beautiful children and starting a stable job, I had to put my artistic aspirations on hold for a while. Nevertheless, I have been painting for almost 15 years, and during this time, I have managed to organize six solo exhibitions, participate in more than 15 group shows both in my home country and internationally, and attend numerous art colonies worldwide. For the past two years, I am living and working as a full-time artist. My works are in private collections worldwide.”

Where do you source inspiration from?

“The path of creativity always makes me contemplate various aspects of life such as love, passion, freedom, serenity, and courage, which in turn enables me to create a sense of happiness for myself and others even when I step out of my comfort zone. In order to create my artwork, I utilize a variety of tools including brushes, leaves, branches, plastic, knives, wire, and most importantly, my own hands. I primarily work alone, dedicating myself to my art and putting in a lot of effort in order to remain true to myself and my unique style. Through my art, I aim to convey emotions, everyday occurrences, beautiful moments, quotes from books and movies, as well as anything that holds deep personal significance to me, and that I am passionate about expressing on the white canvas.”

When was your turning point when you started to become a full-time selling artist?

The pandemic and subsequent confinement made me realize how little time I had for painting. However, this sudden shift in routine allowed me to dedicate more time to my art, without having to sacrifice sleep or leisure time. As a result, I became more active on Instagram, and my art received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience. My posts were shared by various art platforms, and my following grew rapidly, reaching over 60,000 followers to date. This experience felt natural, as if I had been waiting for this artistic flow my entire life. It was a moment of self-discovery, which made me realize that success comes from treating your passions seriously. Hence, I decided to pursue painting as a full-time career, which has brought me immense personal happiness over the past two years.

Why do you do what you do– what does being an artist mean to you?

They say that the thoughts you have before falling asleep and upon waking up define who you are. For me, I am an artist with a soul. I prefer to paint multiple pieces of different styles simultaneously, as it allows me to give my best and avoid falling into a routine. Painting for ten hours feels like ten minutes, and it fills me with happiness, fulfillment, and energy. Art brings out the best in me, granting me peace and joy. My paintings vary in style, but all share a common trait: layers of paint and love. The urge to paint never stops. When I paint, I am truly happy and can leave any inconveniences behind. My studio becomes a world of clean canvases, colors, and musical notes, where I can surrender myself completely to the act of painting. Painting is my passion, my drive, and the thing that fulfils me the most. My studio is my place of joy, serenity, and harmony, where anything is possible. I pour all my energy and drive into it, unrestricted and dreaming out loud. It is where I share my most intimate feelings and thoughts, a place where I can have a dialogue with myself through my works.

How would you describe your style in 5 words or less?

Simple-Complex, Strong-Fragale, LOVE

What direction do you see yourself working more towards in regards to your evolution as an artist?

I am an artist who is fascinated by the interplay between limited colors and rich textures. My artistic process involves carefully selecting a small palette of colors and experimenting with different techniques to create complex textures that evoke a range of emotions and sensations. My works are often abstract or minimalist, allowing viewers to focus on the interplay between color and texture. I enjoy exploring the possibilities of different media, including paint, collage, and mixed media, and I am constantly pushing myself to explore new techniques and materials to create unique and engaging works of contemporary art. Initially, I started with figurative pieces and then moved towards creating figurative abstracts with vibrant colors. However, over the years, I have been exploring a more minimalistic approach with large areas painted in one color, limited color palettes, and incorporating texture and subtle marks into my work as a form of purging.

What are some things you would like for people to understand about what you create?

My creative process is deeply personal and each work I create is a reflection of my unique artistic vision. I am passionate about the interplay between color and texture. My work is not just visual, but it is designed to be experienced on a visceral level, with textures that invite touch and colors that evoke strong emotions. My art is a labour of love and passion, strong emotions that drive me, pour heart and soul into every piece I create in order to share my vision with the world

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

As a dreamer and a firm believer, I hold true to the notion that happy endings and tales of triumph are not just figments of our imagination. Painting with passion is an integral part of my identity, and I am confident that my inner flame will continue to burn wild and free, fuelling me with endless joy and motivation. As an artist, I am aware that success requires unwavering patience and persistent effort. However, with a strong work ethic, perseverance, and a sprinkle of good fortune, I am certain that I can bring my dreams of becoming a renowned painter to fruition, exhibiting my work across the globe.