Exploring Contemporary Realism with Anna Carll

In this Featured Artists episode from the Women Unscripted Podcast Network, host Chris Stafford highlights the work and creative vision of artist Anna Carll—a compelling voice in contemporary art whose work explores light, atmosphere, and the emotional resonance of everyday moments. Known for her distinctive approach to painting, Anna Carll creates work that sits at the intersection of observation and memory. Her compositions often evoke a quiet intimacy, inviting the viewer to slow down and experience the subtle interplay between form, color, and feeling. Whether working in representational or more interpretive modes, her art reflects a deep sensitivity to environment, mood, and the human experience. In this curated Featured Artists playlist, we bring together conversations, insights, and visual storytelling that celebrate artists shaping today’s cultural landscape. Anna Carll’s work exemplifies the kind of thoughtful, nuanced practice that defines this series—art that doesn’t just depict the world, but transforms how we see it. Hosted by Chris Stafford—journalist, author, and founder of the Women Unscripted Podcast Network—this series continues the AART mission of amplifying the voices of artists, creators, and storytellers across disciplines. With over 1,700 episodes across 20 shows, the network is a trusted platform for authentic, unscripted conversations in art and culture. Subscribe to Women Unscripted for more Featured Artists, in-depth interviews, and stories from across the creative world. Discover the people behind the work—and the ideas shaping contemporary art today. Anna Carll artist, contemporary artist Anna Carll, featured artists playlist, AART podcast, Women Unscripted podcast network, Chris Stafford host, contemporary painting, visual artist interview, modern realism art, contemporary realism, fine art painters today, artist process and inspiration, emerging and established artists, art and culture podcast, creative storytelling, visual arts interviews, artists on YouTube, painting techniques and philosophy, art world insights, contemporary art discussion BIO American contemporary mixed-media artist Anna Carll who began her painting career with very colorful figurative work, which slowly evolved into non-representational abstract work that’s based on the concept of urban expansion and erosion. Anna was born in Charleston, WV in 1960. Her mother Maggie Schettler, a career nurse and teacher, and father James Carll, who worked in the auto industry, divorced when Anna was just 12 years of age. She is the youngest of six children. Anna reflects on a troubled childhood and how she became a truant, eventually dropping out of high school and becoming a juvenile delinquent. She describes herself as a having been a sickly child who suffered from dyslexia while becoming introspective and private. At the age of 17, she ran away from home. When she returned home six months later to her mother she went back to school and achieved her General Equivalency Diploma (GED) at 18. It was then she decided to focus on a vocation in graphic art and design by attending the Sarasota County Vocational Technical Center for 12 months. This was followed by six months at the Venice Sun Newspaper where Anna realized she still needed further training so she attended the University of Florida, graduating with a BA in Art & Graphic Design in 1984. Her career began as an illustrator and graphic artist and for 16 years she worked in Atlanta. Anna subsequently spent 12 years honing her craft as an painter in the North Georgia Mountains under the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains in the Blue Ridge area. From 1992-4 she studied with the artist Ouida Canaday before leaving her career as a graphic artist to become a full-time fine artist in 1999. Anna’s first gallery representation came in 1997 with Bender Fine Art Gallery in Atlanta and she is now represented by a number of galleries in the US. Anna’s work is collected by a diverse group of both private individuals and corporations in the US, South America, Europe and Asia. Anna now lives in Chattanooga, TN with her cat Sadie Mei. Anna’s links: https://www.annacarll.com/ https://www.instagram.com/annacarllart Anna’s favorite female artists in visual arts: Current artists: Marjorie Thompson, Galen Chaney, Karen Stamper, Lynn Alker, Nicola Bennett, Cat Tesla, Bethany Kohrt, Helen Ward, Julia Bland, Jackie Mulder, Jackie Leishman, Rebecca Crowell, Patricia Kelly, Jill Stoll, Nina Tichava Late artists: Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Nevelson Eva Hesse, Ruth Asawa, Georgia O'Kieffe, Frida Kahlo Host: Chris Stafford Produced by Hollowell Studios Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram AART on Facebook Email: hollowellstudios@gmail.com