Artist Statement
Chronicling the musings of childlike wonder, my creative process is steeped in the enchantment of God’s creation all around us. I immortalize the very acorns beneath your feet, the seashells between your toes, the feathers locked away in musty cigar boxes full of secret treasures. My jewelry invites you to wear the wares of my treasure chest – whether they be frog cushions, fairy hats, or pirate dollars. As you carry the treasures of Laguna with you, remember the beautiful gift we’ve been given in life itself. And before you swat that pesky mosquito…imagine the infinitesimal wonder of finding a single mosquito on mars! A leaf isn’t just a leaf; a shell is not just a shell: each morsel of creation is a celebration of the work of the very hand which breathes our very life into us. May the stories impressed in my work echo God’s love within and without you forevermore.
Artist Bio
Classically trained in flute, voice, theatre, dance and painting, Anya now turns to metal adornments as a medium to share her natural sculptural designs with everyone. Born to a family of artists in Laguna Beach, California, Anya draws on the natural beauty of her home in her handcrafted, organic designs. Her father and uncle, Roark and Ryan Gourley, built the first three-story Sawdust booth in 1969 as teenagers. Grandpa Donald, an engineer, approved the booth plans with his architectural stamp! A Laguna Beach High School alumna, she continued on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies from Columbia University with honors. Since 2023, her handcrafted work has been shown at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival, where her family has been exhibiting since 1969. Her hobbies include hiking, learning languages and playing banjo.