Anna Bivens is a Central Arkansas-based artist whose work spans across multiple mediums. From dreamy, intimate dollhouse oil paintings to spunky decoupage match boxes, each piece feels personable, nostalgic and whimsical.

Bivens said her creative process is heavily influenced by her painting background, driven by natural observation and how she interacts with the world around her.

“When I was a kid, my favorite way to play alone was to set up all of my toys in a scene and then just stare at them from different angles, ” Bivens said. “I think my art has been just another version of that.”


With the rise of artificial intelligence, Bivens stresses the importance of blocking out external pressures. She uses her art “as an excuse to be with the natural world,” allowing her process to guide her rather than giving into pressures from formal institutions to create work that can keep up with the ever-changing industry.

“What would I do if I never made any money off of [my art] and would never gain any recognition for it,” she asked? “Whatever the answer is feels like the only thing worth pursuing.” 

Bivens’ work embraces the ephemeral. By incorporating compostable items like children’s craft supplies or garbage, she explores the bittersweet relationship between youth and impermanence. And, although these decisions mean her work will degrade over time, she said she is relieved that no one will be able to make money off of her creativity later down the line.

After graduating from Hendrix College in Conway and working as an art teacher, Bivens now draws inspiration from the raw creativity of her young students. As a new member of Master Naturalists – a volunteer organization aiming to keep the Natural State natural – she hopes to gain new environmental perspectives and tailor her skills to be a voice for local ecosystems.

“We’re in a culture where the natural world needs advocates and needs people paying attention to it,” she said.