Meet Anne Abueva

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anne Abueva. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anne below.

Hi Anne, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

I have two favorite ways to move through a “creativity block”:
1. Creativity pauses are sometimes almost as important as actually creating. So, I try to reframe the word “block” and instead think of it as space to gather and grow new ideas. It is an important built-in pause where my mind can wander and catch onto the next inspiration.

2. If that doesn’t seem to help, I just show up anyway. Tidy up the studio, get the paints out, mix and mix the colors until I make one so exciting to me that I have to put it on the canvas. And voila- things are up and running again, at least in some small capacity. One foot in front of the other and eventually the work starts looking like something interesting again.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am an abstract artist based in Charleston, SC. I follow instinct and intuition in my creative practice – trusting that each piece will unfold as it should. This allows me to never get bored and to learn something new from each new piece. It creates a symbiotic relationship where the work is always challenging me, and I get to challenge it. My process is fueled by curiosity, emotion, and a lot of editing. My color palettes and compositions pull from memories, grief and healing, gut feelings, and inner landscapes- inviting viewers to experience their journey alongside me. Each work offers both a personal narrative and a pathway for others to connect with their own.

I have a new passion project that I am almost ready to share with the world- it has been in the making for a couple years and I can’t wait to share it! Follow along through instagram @anneabuevastudio or better yet, subscribe to my newsletter in the coming weeks:)

My studio is located at Redux Contemporary Art Center in Charleston. SC which hosts Open Studio evenings, an auction in the fall and other events year round. If you are in Charleston- either as a tourist or living there- definitely keep them on your radar. The next Open Studio is September 19th, and I am always happy to schedule a studio visit outside of those events.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Strange as it may sound, I think my background in interior design has really helped my work as an artist. Not because I know what people will buy- I don’t – but because I learned to trust my instincts and develop my eye. Those 10+ years were basically an intensive training in color, composition, texture, creating a mood, and telling a story without words. Also, I got really good at making efficient and effective decisions (e.g., quickly pulling samples from showrooms with thousands to choose from, while minding the clock). Lastly, the ability to make bold adjustments on the fly (e.g., re-styling or installing a room / figuring out how to bring out the best version for the people who live there). The same decision-making happens in the studio everyday for me because I don’t plot out each painting, so I am constantly editing, rearranging and making adjustments to the canvas.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

The last 12 months have been one of those times when you re-learn a lesson you definitely already knew, but somehow started ignoring. I rented a studio outside of my home, again- and it has been a wonderful shift. I moved my studio into my home during Covid, and just kept it there for the last few years- but it really wasn’t great for me. Having a space surrounded by other professional creatives has been a big boost for me this year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anneabueva.com
• Instagram: @anneabuevastudio
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-abueva