From Ukraine to Collingwood: Meet Artist Anna Holod

We love when the walls at Press tell a story and right now, they’re speaking through the bold, beautiful work of Anna Holod. If you’ve popped in lately and found yourself lost in a painting between sips of your smoothie, you’ve already met her art. Now let us introduce you to the artist.

Born Anna Bincheva (but go ahead and call her Holod, which means “cold” in Ukrainian, though she’s anything but), Anna’s been in love with drawing since she could hold a pencil. Fast forward a few years, a big move across the ocean, and countless hours of sketching, painting, and studying, and you’ve got an artist with a style that stops you in your tracks.

Anna studied at the Jason Alexander Art School and has spent the last three years in Canada pouring her heart into her art. Her paintings are a wild and beautiful mix of Afrofuturism, contemporary portraiture, and modern surrealism, with a wink to cubism and classical vibes. Think vibrant colours, emotional punch, and portraits that somehow tell a whole story without saying a word.

Anna also creates custom pieces and loves collaborating. So if you’ve got an idea or a photo that means something to you, she’ll take it and turn it into something pretty unforgettable.

Art like this deserves to be seen. To be shared. And maybe even to end up hanging in your home.

Here's our Q & A

Q What’s your earliest memory of creating art?

After my grandad gave me a poppy on my fourth birthday, I started drawing my dog all the time. Later, my sister brought me a book with animal pictures from her library, and since then, I’ve been painting everything from it.

Q How did moving to Canada impact your work or creative process?

I’ve met so many talented artists and inspiring people along the way. Once, I worked in the same building as a small art studio, where I met a 90-year-old artist. His paintings were incredible, and he always told me, ‘Never stop dreaming and working hard on your art—you’ll be successful.

Q What’s your favourite part of the painting process?

My favorite part of the painting process is coming up with ideas, choosing the right canvas size, and making the initial sketch. In the end, I never really know how it will turn out—and that’s what makes it exciting!

Q Do you start a piece with a plan in mind, or does it evolve as you go?

I always have a several ideas in my mind, but it’s always changing in the process.

Q How do you know when a painting is done?

When nothing more needs to be added or taken away. It’s a feeling more than a rule, like the artwork starts speaking for itself. Sometimes, I just look at it and realize there’s nothing left I want to change.

Q What’s on your studio playlist right now?

My studio playlist is a mix of classic and jazz music sometimes, a bit of indie, some lo-fi beats, and occasionally upbeat tracks to keep the energy flowing. It really depends on the mood of the painting I’m working on.

Q Do you have any creative rituals or must-haves when you paint?

Not really—I just like to be alone and not disturbed while I’m working. Having that quiet space helps me focus and fully connect with what I’m creating.

Q What do you love most about doing custom pieces?

What I love most about custom pieces is how personal they are. It’s really cool to turn someone’s idea or memory into a painting that means something special to them. I love seeing their reaction when it’s done.

Q Can you walk us through your process when someone reaches out with an idea?

Usually, people send me a reference of what they want and any details they’d like to add—it really depends on the style. For example, my last custom piece was for a little girl’s room. The client shared some references inspired by a famous artist but asked me to change the colors and give it a more European feel. I ended up sketching a scene of Paris with some cute animals around, and they loved it! From there, I painted it on canvas, played with the colors, and stayed in touch throughout the process to make sure we were always on the same page.

Q Finish this sentence: “When I’m not painting, you’ll probably find me…”

at the gym or Georgian bay lake and hiking around. 

Q If you had to describe your art using only emojis, which ones are we working with?

🖌️🎨🖼️🧑‍🎨🎭

Q Are you a morning person or night owl?

I’ve always been a night owl, but since I changed my job I started to be a morning person and kinda love it , now I have way more time to do my art things and focus on living life. 

Q What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?

People are often surprised by my strong personality and big heart. I’m also very independent—I work hard and always achieve things on my own.

If you'd like to reach Anna tap below

IG // @holod.ann13

EMAIL // annbinchevaoo@gmail.com