Based on the popularity of the previous artist interview a year and some change ago, we’re back with another feature! This time, we’re highlighting the one and only Ana, the brains and skill behind VCTMHenry. We chatted with her about her background, her style, and what she has in store next. Her work is rich in color and detail with a rawness that has to be seen and appreciated.
Interviewing Ana, AKA VCTMHenry
Me: It’s great to meet you, Ana! Your art is so interesting. How long have you been working at it?
Ana: I’ve been an artist for as long as I [can] remember! Art has followed me all of my life even in the years in which I chose different paths until I came to terms that this is what I’m supposed to be doing and what I love!
Me: Has your art come naturally, or did you attend any training or schooling to hone your skills?
Ana: I went to lots of art lessons over the years, and my high school education was in a specialized class that focused on fine art and art history. Later on, I graduated university with a bachelor’s in arts in Animation. Along the years I practiced a lot, doing a ton of studies of faces and the human body. I used to draw people on the bus on my way home from school every day along with doing various original works.
Me: What is your background other than art? Where do you hail from originally?
Ana: I was born and spent most of my life in Bulgaria, spending most of my time at my grandmother’s small village house instead of the city where my parents live. Always preferred the countryside. I also lived, studied, and worked in the United Kingdom for five years before I met my husband.
Me: Are you former military yourself?
Ana: I am not.
Me: What’s the meaning behind your Instagram handle? Any deep meaning?
Ana: My username is a reference to the video game Silent Hill 4 and the main character, Henry. I’m a big fan of the franchise!
Me: Looking through your profile on Instagram, your art centers around military ideals or motifs. What drew you to your art subject, then?
Ana: I’ve had a lot of different subjects that I’ve focused on over the years, some of which include horror, martial arts, video games, and a few others. My focus on firearms and Military art became of interest around the time I was going through physiotherapy for my hand and was unable to draw. At the time, I came across a few American YouTube accounts reviewing various guns and gear, which got me hooked.
Later on, when I went back to drawing, I started studying how to draw said guns and gear and the people who reviewed them, making a few short animations. Over time, I became very involved in the firearms community, which was very welcoming and supportive of a European interested in the 2nd Amendment and a newbie trying to learn more about modern-day gun culture. Over time, I found out and got very passionate about the ongoing mental health crisis amongst veterans and have been very outspoken on the issue.
Me: It appears that some of your artwork looks as if your husband was your inspiration. Is that true?
Ana: I can’t lie, I have a thing about drawing him. There is something about immortalizing his image in a drawing that makes me very inspired and happy.
Me: Where do you find your spark?
Ana: Over the years, I’ve had the common issue with artist which is “art block,” and I like to believe that I cracked the code of it for myself. Every time I hit a dead end, I would just focus on sketching and drawing things I’m currently interested in. Whether it being characters from a video game, movie, or a book. It works like a charm every time. On the other hand, unusual faces and features really inspire me.
Me: I have very little background in art, but to me your style feels almost like a cross between newer anime/rough-style cartoon with brushed edges. It feels detailed without the fine details. How would you describe your overall style?
Ana: That is the best way somebody has described my style, haha!
It was actually inspired by one of my teachers who introduced me to impressionism. If you look at any of Claude Monet’s works, you will notice that as rich in color and detail they seem from afar, when inspected up close, they are created with “messy brush strokes”. That has been the major roots of my style.
Me: What is one thing that really excites you about your work?
Ana: Mainly the feelings it invokes in others. Also, the fact that God has blessed me with the ability to create. That is definitely exciting!
Me: So, what’s up next for you? Any big projects or stellar things in the works?
Ana: I’ve definitely shifted gears with what I paint. I’m focused more on honoring the veteran/special forces in my work and donating pieces to various charities and support their cause. A lot of other fun stuff, too. I do wish I had more time to go back to animating, as it’s something I love doing.
Me: What charities are you working with? How do you choose them?
Ana: I support Homefront K9 Project because they have been putting the hard work of training dogs for Special Forces veterans and their families according to their needs. They are veteran-run with a small staff that goes above and beyond in order to deliver great results and to aid the community!
As for FireIceFrogs, they provide the Special Forces Veterans and their families with in-home sauna and cold plunges, which offer a non-pharmaceutical approach to better health!
Both charities have been putting in the hard work to support those who served and are very dedicated in aiding in veteran suicide prevention, which is a topic I’m very passionate about. I’d love to support them with anything that I’m capable of doing, from donating my time and work for the cause or at least through spreading the word.
Me: How can someone purchase your art?
Ana: As of now, I am on a hiatus with commissions, but I will be opening requests on my Instagram page soon. That is where I always take all of the orders.
Me: What’s one thing you’d want people to know about you?
Ana: I just want to tell the small community I accumulated over the years that I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for their support and care over the years.
There you have it! Ana has been working on her art for a while now, and it clearly shows. If you dig her style, give her a follow on Instagram (@VCMTHenry). You most likely won’t regret it.
Additional Reading:
We work pretty hard on this stuff. Do us a solid if you’re getting anything out of our writing!
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