Annabel Barst Art

Hi, I'm Annabel!

I am drawn to the magic, mystery, and wonder of creating.

I believe art has the power to heal, unite, inspire, uplift. I hope to contribute to this potential of art through my work.

As a child, I was enchanted by the whimsical world of fairy tales; wings, wands, and magic potions. As I matured, my fascination deepened into the darker, more mysterious elements of folklore; dragons, pixies, and witches.

My reverence for the natural world further fuels my creative voice. I am inspired by the intricate patterns of fungi against the rough bark of trees, the striking contours of an ocean wave, and the soft yet spiky spirals of a succulent.

Nature is my sanctuary. It is here that I am lured in by the mysteries I sense in the shadows, transported back to my childhood fascinations, and moved to sculpt my imaginings.

I love the feel of clay in my hands, its earthy scent, and malleable texture. I enjoy transforming a raw piece of earth into something I find beautiful.

While I often start with a vision, I let the clay guide me, allowing a form to gradually take shape. This process is incredibly grounding, helping me shed my doubts and insecurities so that each piece may come from the heart.

Through my creations, I aim to peel back the veil and reveal the ancient spirits hidden among us. In blending light and dark, magic and reality, I seek to reignite the sense of childlike wonder that lives inside us all.

My Story

When I think about clay, I think about my dad. I grew up playing with clay in his makeshift studio in our garage, and creating together became a constant throughout my life. This was a deep and special bond that I will forever cherish.

I received my BFA in ceramics from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2002, and following the completion of my degree, I exhibited my art at small local shows, often organized by the artist collectives I helped form in Dallas, TX. I funded my art by entering the service industry, waiting tables in order to pay the rent and buy art supplies. I moved from Texas to Davis, CA to deepen my art studies and form new bonds with other artists.

Realizing that I was not quite ready to immerse myself fully in the art world and needing new inspiration, I saved up money to travel the world, and did so frugally and frequently. Over the next 15 years, I would periodically return to the states to work, sculpt, and fund my next exploration. I am very grateful for this period in my life as my work is strongly influenced by the exposure to so many diverse cultures and the raw beauty of the natural world.

My nomadic lifestyle came to a halt when my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at the end of 2022. I returned to Texas and had the great privilege to care for him during the last months of his life. It was the hardest and most meaningful thing I have ever done. It rocked my world, reshaped the way I want to live my life, and now our bond through clay has more meaning than ever.

I have set down roots in Sonoma County and feel so fortunate to spend a lot of time in the redwoods and coastal ecosystems that surround me. I love seeing how much this area is influencing my art. I am now ready and eager to establish strong ties within an artistic community and flourish as an artist.