Anya McManis came to painting through her work as a graphic designer. She was looking for a creative outlet that was free from the restraints of commercial design and would allow for a stronger artistic expression of her ideas. In painting she found her medium and her passion.

Rather than painting what she sees, she paints what she feels and translates her emotions into visual concepts. Her paintings have a visceral and primal identity that mirrors her desire for unrestrained artistic expression. She likes the contrast of bold colors and often incorporates handmade paper, metal, gold leaf and other media into her paintings. Her style is defined by texture, movement and unique shapes. One of her special collections is called “Songs of Flying Dragons” and speaks to her interest in languages and writing. These paintings include a 1447 poem that played a significant role in the linguistic history of Korea.

A German native, Anya has lived in the US for 15 years and found a second home in Colorado. She received her translator certification for English and French from the Euro Language Institute in Germany and holds a BA in Communication from the University of Denver. She owns and runs Kreative Keystrokes, a grahic design agency in Denver. She is also an avid writer and her articles have appeared in the University of Denver Magazine, in Voices published by The Women’s College of the University of Denver, At-Home Mother Magazine, and other magazines and newsletters nationwide.

Painting, however, is her true passion and she cannot imagine life without it. With this endeavor she is following in the footsteps of her late father, a painter and illustrator.