Field Trip:: Egeli Studios (Nurturing the Creative Soul)

One of the best parts of my job is the incredibly talented people I get to know.




Anastasia at work. photo credit: Rachael Montejo 

 

I had the opportunity recently to visit the accomplished portrait painter, Anastasia Egeli at her family’s studio in Annapolis. Egeli, who comes from a long line of well-known artists, is living in Spain but was here briefly to finish a commissioned portrait for a Philadelphia family.

 

Anastasia’s artistic lineage can be traced back three generations. Her late grandfather, renowned portraitist and sculptor Bjorn Egeli whose charisma and portrait genius made him a favorite of the Eisenhowers, the Duponts, and countless other American families who shaped the United States during his time. Anastasia is the daughter of one of his most successful children Cedric Egeli. People from all over the world travel to his farm in Maryland to learn the painting techniques that have molded Anastasia’s work and given it that American traditional glamour. You learn more about Anastasia here

 

Not only does Anastasia possess incredible talent in creating life and light on canvas but her energy and passion are contagious. My daughter, Mugsy, was awestruck by the Studio and by the artist. Anastasia gave Mugsy (who is a budding artist) some fantastic advice which I know will resonate with all of you creative types.

 

You have to nurture your energy and creativity… you have to protect the creative soul. What does that mean? It means that we have to remember to take care of ourselves while at the same time we pour every ounce of our beings into our work. For some that means yoga for others it means a run or great music… whatever it takes to re-energize and find balance so that the reserves of energy and creativity are there when we need it.

Simple advice but so hard to accomplish some days. 

 

Photographs were taken by Rachael Montejo who does stunning work in her own right and her web site is a must see. Check it out here.   

 

 

By the way, for those of you lucky enough to live in Annapolis, you can see this piece at The Metropolitan on West Street.