Meet Ana Pradilla | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ana Pradilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ana, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
“The Dressmakers of Auschwitz” by Lucy Adlington resonated with me because of its emphasis on the importance of attitude in the face of adverse circumstances beyond one’s control, highlighting how one can choose the attitude to face them. I was impressed by this group of women for their bravery, constant resilience, mental strength, ability to keep fighting, sisterhood, loyalty to each other, and unbreakable spirit.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I illustrate and create ceramics, and I love drawing nature, especially animals. I work both digitally and analogically, using an iPad for my digital creations and constantly seeking new tools to create textures and effects in my drawings. Analogically, I enjoy using charcoal, oil paints, gouache, and colored pencils.

What excites me most about painting is reproducing an image on a flat surface and giving it a three-dimensional effect through light and shadows. It amazes me to see the effect achieved. With ceramics, the excitement also comes from connecting with nature through clay. I love working on the pottery wheel, feeling the clay, creating a shape, applying the ceramic glaze, and firing it in the kiln. The transformation of the clay and the fusion of the glazes by heat is tremendously thrilling, especially when you open the kiln and see the result of your work and all the hours behind the creative process.

Both activities have required time and patience, along with a fair share of frustration because it takes effort and dedication to create a good piece. To avoid succumbing to frustration, it is important to keep trying and learn from mistakes. Today, I have a home-based business—a ceramics studio where I create various pieces for sale, and a lovely studio where I paint.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
In my country, Colombia, I would take my best friend to an island called Isla Grande in the Caribbean Sea, an hour by boat from Cartagena de Indias. We would spend our days away from the noise on its turquoise beaches, eating the best fresh seafood. We would rent bicycles to explore the island, go snorkeling in the open sea, interact with local fishermen, and kayak around the island. Finally, I would take them at night to a magical place in the area called the Enchanted Lagoon, where we would swim with bioluminescent phytoplankton—a truly marvelous spectacle.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A special thank you to my beloved husband John and my children Ian and Avril who inspire me to improve every day.

Website: https://www.instagram.com/anapradillaceramica?igsh=MXN5YTBxMmY0eWR6bQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anapradilla_art?igsh=MTlvZ3QwbjdmcHo2aw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: Ana Pradilla

Image Credits
Photos: Ana Pradilla