Pronouns: she/her
Anaïs (she/her) is a queer latina, joyfully loud, colorful, and believes that being silly and so outlandishly herself is how she not only resists, but thrives. She is autistic, bipolar and neurodivergent.
Her artwork is intensely felt, bright vivid colors interwoven with poetry. Anaïs finds inspiration in the extraordinary and mundane throughout her life, which her artwork reflects.
Anaïs loves to go camping often, dying her hair brightly, watching Sailor Moon, playing Pokémon, and headbobbing wildly to My Chemical Romance. She utilizes her typewriter, exuberant acrylic paints, and Procreate (digital art). Anaïs earned her Sociology and Anthropology degree at Lewis & Clark College with both departmental honors and summa cum laude in Portland, OR.
Feel free to contact her for anything, she loves connecting with others through art. See more of her pieces and learn more about her at artbyanais.com and @artbyanaiss on Instagram.
Anaïs (ella) es una latina queer, ruidosa pero con alegría, y se cree que siendo juguetona y totalmente sí misma es la manera en que se resista pero también prospera. Ella es autista, bipolar, y neurodivergente.
Sus obras de arte se sienten intensamente, con colores vivos entretejido con poesía, tal como era su vida creciendo con una mamá soltera. Anaïs se inspira a través de lo ordinario y de lo extraordinario en su vida, y su arte refleja eso.
En su tiempo libre, le gusta ir de campar, pintarse el pelo con colores brillantes, ver Sailor Moon y Madoka Magica, jugar Pokémon y mover su cabeza esuchando My Chemical Romance y Slipknot. Ella se usa su máquina de escribir, pinturas acrílicas y Procreate (arte digital). Anaïs logró su título de Sociología y Antropología en Lewis & Clark College y se graduό con honores en Portland, OR.
No dudes en contactarla para cualquier cosa, le encanta conectarse con otros a
través del arte. Vea más de sus piezas y conozca más sobre ella en artbyanais.com y @artbyanaiss en Instagram.
“A River Runs Through It”
Exhibited at Rainbow on the Eastside 2025.
This piece is inspired by my late little brother Noah, and his love of fishing. He started fishing when he was 3yrs old, and I had the honor of being by his side, as he fished 17 out of his 20 years. He loved the film, “ A River Runs Through It.” So much so that when he passed, my mom chose a quote from the film to add to bookmarks we made of him. Noah directly fostered my love of reading because whenever he was fishing, I was alongside him, reading.I scattered his ashes over one of his favorite rivers, and I believe his essence is in every river he fished in – as a river runs through it.
“Through My Eyes”
Exhibited at Rainbow on the Eastside 2024.
This piece is about the moment when you look into the human eye and become completely transported into different timelines, possibilities, and generational insight. Words from “World in My Eyes” by Depeche Mode. I had the honor of hearing their song live, and as the synth music waves permeated my being, I was enraptured by an image- which birthed this piece.
Esta obra tiene que ver con el momento cuando mires en el ojo humano y te transportas por completo a differentes líneas temporales, posibilidades y sabiduría generacional. Letras viene de “World in My Eyes” por Depeche Mode. Tuve en honor de escuchar su canción en vivo, y mientras la musica se entró por mi ser, un imagen me capturo mi todo- y eso es lo que viene de esta obra.
“Where I am, my eyes are always happy” / “A donde estoy, mi ojos siempre están felices”
Exhibited at Rainbow on the Eastside 2023.
This piece came to be from looking at one of my little brothers’ photos. His eyes were so happy in the photo, as he smiled next to one of his fishing idols. I heard him whisper to me, “Anaïs, where I am, my eyes are always happy.” I wept.
His eyes are now always happy!!
That’s all a big sister could want.
The three sets of eyes represent my little brother and two of his friends who are also in heaven with him. So comforting knowing that they are reunited.
Esta obra nació de una foto de mi hermanito. En la foto sus ojos eran tan felices. De mirar sus ojos por un poco más tiempo de lo normal, lo escuche diciendo ” Anaïs, a donde estoy, mis ojos siempre están felices.” Lloré.
Sus ojos ya siempre estarán felices!
Eso es lo que quiere una hermana mayor.
Los tres pares de ojos representan a mi hermano y sus dos amigos que están en el cielo con él. Tres niños tan jóvenes que nos dejaron demasiado temprano. Me da confort que estén reunidos.
Coming Out
All my life I’ve loved women, but I didn’t have the right words. I called it “deep admiration” for the longest time. It’s not normal to stare at women and gaze at them and want to spend all your time with them?? I would say that every woman is beautiful because that is how I saw them. My brother would always joke with me, “Anaïs, not every woman can be beautiful!” Funnily enough, he was the first person to know I was queer, even before I was ready to admit to myself.
As I grew up, I struggled to see myself with a man, and felt repulsed by them. The only men I could see myself with were fictional and written by women.
Leaving home and going to college really helped to realize that I’m queer. I inadvertently surrounded myself by queer people and saw the beauty of queer joy and love.
I was nervous to come out to my mom and waited 2 years. I was anxious because she told me how grateful she was that I wasn’t gay, because being gay meant a harder life. In a way she wasn’t wrong, but I felt discouraged. When I eventually did come out to her, she was more hurt that I didn’t tell her earlier, and that she wasn’t too surprised.
Despite and in spite of everything, I thank God that I’m queer. Thank you, God. Gracias a dios por hacerme queer.