When I was in my early twenties, I launched myself headfirst into the relentless, exhilarating world of professional oil painting. I was balancing commissioned portraits, gallery shows, teaching, and conventions, all while building my reputation as an artist to watch. Then in 2013, just as my career was gaining momentum, I discovered I was pregnant. Motherhood, in all of its beautiful messiness, forced me into an identity crisis I neither anticipated nor welcomed. In hindsight, it has been the catalyst for a level of growth that I could never have imagined.

It seems almost comical that in my 15+ years of professional practice, I never had a solo show. The demands of everyday life often left little room for the consistent focus required to create a cohesive body of work. Raising children while pursuing art is an ongoing tug-of-war and cause for both a divided heart and divided attention, especially when one of those children has special needs. My second child was diagnosed with autism in 2022, so my focus shifted to his care and making sure he was getting everything he needed to thrive. The global pandemic augmented the isolation of caring for two small children, and my productivity suffered. Despite these challenges, I turned to my art whenever possible, winning accolades like magazine covers, a gold medal at the Oil Painters of America National Exhibition and recognition as a four-time finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s international competition. I continued to exhibit with Saks Galleries, who have been my home base for the last ten years and whose owners, Mikkel and Catherine, understand that artists are people too.

Now, with my children thriving and the newfound stability to focus on my career, I am overjoyed to share this body of work with you.

In Little Kingdoms, I invite you to embark on a journey through worlds both real and imagined, and to explore for yourself what the word "kingdom" means to you. We all have kingdoms that we build in our lives, places we create to feel at home or in control. This collection is a sensory experience, moving from the rich golds and fiery reds of autumn leaves and florals, to the lush greens and tranquil blues of mountains, forests, and seas. Some works zoom in, revealing intimate, overlooked realms, while others expand outward into sweeping, broader landscapes and motifs. The figures in these paintings serve as guides, each with their own kind of presence. In Lioness, a nude figure meets our eyes with the power of a goddess. In His Highness, a boy wearing a crown and his towering giraffe companion playfully challenge our notions of who truly rules.

These are kingdoms of nature, imagination, and human spirit—realms where beauty, memory, and emotion reign. I hope my audience finds wonder in these places, a touch of nostalgia, and a renewed reverence for the worlds we inhabit and the ones we dream into being.

- Anna Rose Bain, October 2025