Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Togrye.
Hi Anna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a self-taught sculptor who started about 4.5 years ago on a bit of a whim. I’ve always had some sort of creative outlet (it’s been photography for most of my life), and I wanted to pick up something new, so I gravitated to sculpting as I had a bit of clay on hand and feel more drawn to 3D works rather than 2D.
I think it just makes a lot more sense to my brain that I can see the subject from every angle, and I get to keep pushing clay around until things don’t look wrong. After creating my first piece, a giraffe with an extra-long, surreal neck, I quickly moved on to make another piece, and another, and another.
I experimented and learned through trial and error with every new sculpture. I made lots of mistakes and even threw away a zebra I was a bit too ambitious with, but through all of that experience, I gained a greater understanding of my materials and process and applied a vast amount of patience to create the hyper-detailed surreal marriages of plants & animals that I’m sculpting now.
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?
It’s been smooth in that I think I’m naturally inclined to sculpt so even when there are struggles, they don’t feel as daunting as struggles I’ve faced in other lines of work.
But there have been so many times when I’ve just sat there not knowing how to proceed, how I’ll solve this challenge, how I’ll sculpt this specific emotion or detail, how I’ll get this safely shipped to another country, will the collector like this artistic direction, and so many more unknowns.
I’ve also struggled a lot with imposter syndrome and not valuing my work appropriately, so it can be a challenge for me to self-promote and is something I am trying to improve on.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a self-taught sculptor working in polymer clay and air-dry clay.
I specialize in highly detailed and textured sculptures that combine plants & animals into one sort of surreal, fantastical piece. I’m most proud of a recent commission of a squirrel monkey that took about 300 hours. It’s one of my most structurally sound sculptures and yet is still very delicate looking, and I’m most pleased with the bold color choices.
I think my ability to achieve precise & accurate detail when needed yet also have the knowledge of when & where an abstract form or posture would work sets me apart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I love feedback and support, it’s such an encouragement to keep creating! The best way to support me is to follow along with what I make on Instagram at @ant.sculpt.
Contact Info:
- Email: annanoel90@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ant.sculpt/
