Interview with Anori Studio founder, Cristina Solé.
Part of our Women Making Bold Moves interview series, we sat down with Cristina to hear about what inspires her art, how she got started with Anori Studio and watercolors, and what it means to make bold moves.
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ABOUT CRISTINA & ANORI STUDIO
How did you get started?
I was working in physical therapy, caring for others and helping them heal. However, I was not caring for myself in the process and I knew I needed an outlet that allowed me to care for myself. I had already been introduced to lettering and watercolor by my husband’s sister and I started to paint as a way to meditate. It became a way to care for myself, it became my medicine.
When did you make the switch from hobby to professional?
For my wedding actually. When we were planning, I wanted to create the invitations because I enjoyed it. This sparked something in me and I thought, I could do this professionally for others.
INSPIRATION
What inspires you?
Pfff, so many things! But above all: Nature, architecture, and art. For me, these are the same - If you see a flower, it’s a perfect piece of art and structure, it is nature’s architecture. This inspires me.
CHALLENGES:
What are some challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At first, if I didn’t like what I was painting, I would throw it away. Later I decided that instead of throwing away what I didn’t like, I would just keep going and use that as an opportunity to try new things. In the end, I realized that I liked these pieces that I initially wanted to throw away and that they are beautiful. I learned that if one petal isn’t perfect, it’s ok because there are many and it’s part of something beautiful.
Things do not need to be perfect.
LAUNCHING YOUR BUSINESS:
As a business owner in the arts, there are unique challenges that you face. What has been your experience so far?
Wow, yes. I would say, leaving it all behind to start something new has been a challenge. It is deciding what you want to do and then to do it. It’s taking that decision and making the change that’s the hard part. Sometimes it can be easier to let your dreams stay as dreams. Facing the reality and going for it is challenging and exciting.
Launching this business is a door where you can decide how you want to live your life - it is freedom, liberty. The possibility to live with tranquility. It’s about life and happiness.
ABOUT ANORI STUDIO
It flows with what I want to create - a calmness that flows with happiness, natural beauty.
What does Anori mean and how did you come up with the name?
It means “wind” in Inuit language - it is sweet and soft, like the touch of a dream. Even they way it is pronounced, A-no-ri, sounds like a light wind going through the petals of a flower.
It flows with what I want to create - a calmness that flows with happiness, natural beauty.
Weddings can be very stressful times and with Anori, I want to impart of sense of calm and tranquility in the experience for others.
CREATIVE PROCESS:
Can you describe your creative process a bit?
When I see a flower, I imagine how I can do it. And then I decide if I can do it in the way that evokes the beauty of the flower. Not every flower can be recreated the way I want in watercolor, I must select and capture the beauty that I see.
The architecture and way that nature creates her art captures my attention. I’m really drawn to touch the flowers, I’m very tactile. The texture of the flowers are important to me, how the colors are shown through the petals and leaves. I think my tactile sense comes from my previous work as a physiotherapist, where I used touch to care for my patients. Once again, touch is a way I care and interact with my art.
Once I decide on the subject, then I draw the flower and then I paint with watercolors. Again, it is a conversation with the medium, I interact with the paints, guiding them and eventually we create a beautiful replica of nature.
In the process of painting with water, it’s a conversation.
Why do you work with watercolors instead of another medium?
In the process of painting with water, it’s a conversation. This is what I love about the process: I can guide what I create, but it is a conversation with the water and the paints - I paint where it tells me to paint. Maybe the paint and water don’t go in the direction that I want it to go or as saturated. Instead, each work together with me to create the art.
SUSTAINABILITY:
You mentioned sustainability, could you tell us more about why that’s important to you?
It’s another way for me to care for others, in particular nature. I want to help and I cannot be inspired by nature and use her as my subject without caring for her in the process. I want to give back how I can.
I try to work with as many sustainable suppliers as possible. I make a special effort to connect with suppliers that share these same values. Additionally, I donate to BOSQUIA, which is an organization that plants trees on the peninsula.
COLLABORATION BETWEEN RUBÍSNACKS BARCELONA & ANORI STUDIO
This collaboration between Anori and Rubísnacks Barcelona has been a lot of fun, can you tell us more about the shared values between the two brands?
It’s about love and creativity, friendship and respect for the artist in each other.
We have shared values of sustainability, creating movements of beauty, permanence and not consuming a trend but rather being intentional in what we create that can last.
MAKING BOLD MOVES:
Rubísnacks Barcelona is all about Bold Moves, can you tell us what bold moves means to you?
Movements are always essential, there is no life without movement. Life is to live and it need to flow. If it stops, it dies.
Bold moves are also about intention. I relate it to my yoga practice - where you look is where you go. Your intention goes where you look. Bold moves are about looking with intention, being conscious about the decisions you take and making them happen.
When do you most feel like yourself?
When I’m painting or practicing yoga. For me, it’s about peace, disconnecting from the outside to come within, and a meditation through art and something visual.
How can you support other women?
Be there, be present. It costs nothing to be kind.
There are a million roads, not just one.
Is there something you would tell your younger self?
The idea of Anori, to have calmness and tranquility. That there is no need to be perfect, if you’re wrong it’s ok. Don’t throw it away, but keep going. You will love it in the end.
Also, don’t worry so much and to remember to take care of yourself as you care for others.
Do you have any advice on how to make bold moves?
When you look back you need to be satisfied that you went for it and you lived your life. Don’t be afraid, let go of the fear and to just do it. What can go wrong? You just learn in the end.
There are a million roads, not just one.
To find out more about Cristina and her work with Anori Studios, follow her on Instagram at @anori_studio or head to her website. If you're planning a wedding and would like to have artisan wedding invitations, reach out to Cris on Instagram.
To shop this collaboration collection: Pink Peony Watercolor Artemis