Jean Anaya Moya

"I am an artist that has been working with the traditional Hispanic art form of straw applique since 1996. My straw applique style starts out traditionally. I use the traditional materials such as soft pine, hand carved designs, homemade gesso, wheat straw, cornhusk, and some natural pigments. Then I combine modern materials such as acrylic black paint, commercial glues and varnish. My designs are traditional Hispanic religious images with a contemporary twist. I feel it is extremely important to create art that people can relate to.

The combination of straw applique and retablo style gives my pieces a contemporary flare, but they are both contemporary and traditional. Through the years, I have always welcomed changes in Hispanic and Catholic traditions. Some change is always good as long as we never forget how we evolved. That is how I see my art in straw applique. In order for me to enjoy being an artist, I must always remember to be grounded to my roots, but be able to grow and accept change."