Administrator by day, artist by night – meet Anna Dohnanska
Administrator by day, artist by night – meet Anna Dohnanska
We celebrate the broad range of passions and talents that our people are dedicated to outside of work. These different skills, perspectives and experiences all add to the diversity of thought that we value so highly.
We caught up with Anna in our Luxembourg office so she could paint the picture on her hidden talent as an artist, including what it’s like to be featured in British Vogue on three separate occasions. She also explains how her painting helps her with her role at Schroders.
What has been your journey as an artist?
Anna: I was always drawing and painting as a child and was inspired from a young age to work with oils by a family member. In secondary school, people started noticing my paintings more. I started doing commissions and sold them. While I studied Philosophy and English at university, art went on the back burner, but when I moved from Slovakia to Luxembourg in 2008, I picked up my brushes again.
Does your art help with your role at Schroders?
Anna: Definitely, it helps in so many different ways. I normally have at least three pieces on the go at any one time, so I have to be organised and methodical. As a result, this helps me in my role as I am often juggling several things at once. Also, when I paint, I am totally in the moment, and all other thoughts get put to one side, so it’s a perfect way to relax and wind down after a busy day.
Do you have exhibitions?
Anna: In 2015, a friend who worked at the European Court of Auditors recommended me for a month-long exhibition. I am also connected to the Artbox Project in Zurich which exhibits pictures all over the world on huge screens.
This all led to British Vogue getting in touch with me this year! They asked to feature my paintings, and I was in the May, June and July issues which made me hugely proud.
Is your art anywhere else?
Anna: Funny you should ask! The office here in Luxembourg was recently refurbished and a colleague mentioned my paintings to Derek Reeves, who managed the project. Derek got in touch and 14 of my paintings were displayed in Horizon, our coffee area!
How did people react to your artwork in the office?
Anna: Everyone has been really positive and supportive. People are surprised and often quite shocked when they realise the pieces are mine. People don’t always connect my Schroders persona to the artist! I have even given an office tour of my artwork as people were asking questions and wanted to know more!
Tell us about your influences and role models.
Anna: I started out by creating copies of works by Van Gogh, Klimt and Gauguin and learnt a lot from that process so I could start creating my own pieces. These have all had a huge impact on my art deco style. I like transcendental images that can’t be understood completely and are infinite. I also create classical pieces from photographs I take of the landscape around me. Most recently I have started painting glass.
How do you find time?
Anna: I choose art over other things that I could be involved with. It’s what I do in the evenings and the first thing I think about when I get up at the weekend. I started giving a painting class at the EU Institutions painting club each Monday five years ago and enjoy sharing my passion.
Quick fire
Favourite piece of your art? Autumn (part of my series on the seasons) or Early Flowers – my latest piece.
Proudest moment? Reaching the semi-finals in an international competition.
Any other hobbies? Ballet, photography, travel, philosophy, the list goes on.
Any quirks? I write with my right hand but paint with my left.
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