Anna Evans’s multidisciplinary work centers around conceptual interpretation of desert ecology and culture in the Western United States. The exact subject matter and medium varies, but hyper-local self-produced sustainable materials remain constant throughout. Her pieces literally start from the ground up: minerals/ochers she collects to create paint pigment, regional agate she cuts and polishes to build one-of-a-kind jewelry, and plants grown on her flower farm to produce color on fiber. She weaves together metaphysical symbolism, traditional quilt patterns, and Western iconography with a palette of docile desert tones to depict the the place she inhabits and is most influenced by. The subtleties of the desert are reflected in her work, while her practice is guided by the rhythm of the seasons, celestial cycles, and hand processes that were passed down to her from generations of women who came before.
Evans expands on generational knowledge and self-taught study in painting, fiber, metalwork through research in ecology and agriculture. As a Naturalist and Master Gardener she has developed methods of production that reduce consumption and work to benefit biodiversity on the land she stewards. She has spent over a decade mastering organic cultivation of natural dye plants and extraction of natural pigment that she uses in her work.
Born and raised in Grand Junction, CO, Evans crisscrossed the western US and now lives in southeast Utah where she maintains her art practice in a 100+ year old cabin on a small plot of agricultural land. Her micro-farm uses permaculture methods to grow dye plants and pollinator habitat.
To shop Anna’s original art, jewelry, and textiles visit her online store Badlands Goods.
For all other inquiries, including painting or fiber commissions, email: anna [at] annaevans [dot] com
See Anna’s current projects and musings on Instagram: @annainthedesert
