Friends and family know me as Lisa. My artist’s name is Annanya, from the Sanskrit word ananya, which means “unique” or “without compare.” This alludes to how I perceive the world, and how I fit - or don’t fit - into it. I grew up neurodivergent, before anyone knew what that was, and an introvert, before that was socially acceptable or tolerated. Art was my my safe place from trauma, bullying, social anxiety and everything that made life difficult. I could create friends, stories, and whole worlds in which to escape. I didn’t know where my wild imagination came from, and I didn’t really think about it. It was just me. My Catholic relatives said my artistic ability was a gift from God. I wouldn’t truly understand or appreciate what this really meant until much, much later.
After a particularly dark time in my life, including a difficult stint at art school, I just stopped being an artist. The one thing I most loved became a chore to perform at someone else’s whim. I was told I was no good at it. I was told I wasn’t worth the money that art school cost. I was in an abusive relationship, including the one at home. And so I became lost. If I wasn’t an artist, then who was I?
Fast-forward several decades. I had discovered a sense of spirituality, which led me to start creating here and there, but it was sporadic. I pursued my Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design, in my late forties. Ten years later, I got what I thought was my dream job. But why was it all so unsatisfying?
The answer would come a few years later, when an automobile accident left me with seven herniated discs in my spine, and constant unbearable pain that nothing would relieve - until I rediscovered meditation through a phone app. This quickly led to a series of stepping stones of deeper and deeper spiritual exploration, and to an amazing coach who healed most of my childhood trauma. From there, I took a series of online artist retreats and courses to help unlock the creativity that was long dormant. The reason I had been feeling lost and empty was because I wasn’t being who I was meant to be - an artist.
Since that reawakening, the ideas and inspiration are so frequent and powerful I have to write them down before I forget them. My inspiration now comes from the visions, dreams and messages I receive from Source and from my higher self, whose name is Violet. They are deeply spiritual and connected to nature, which was my other great love as a child. I consider these downloads to be sacred, and bringing them into reality where they can touch others is my gift to the world. If just one soul can receive healing, comfort, inspiration or even just pleasure from my work, then I am using my gift to its fullest. Thank you being part of my purpose!
With love,
Lisa/Annanya and Violet