Anta Baidekalne

born and raised in a small village in the Alūksne region

currently living and developing creatively in Ķekava

From car parts to painting

I guess I can't call myself anything other than a creative and technical person. Why is that? After graduating from elementary school, I decided to continue my studies at Riga State Technical School, where I received a diploma in auto mechanics. For almost ten years, I worked in the automotive industry. I also had the opportunity to work and study at a motorcycle service for a while. I later enrolled at Riga Technical University in the Machine and Apparatus Construction program. However, during my studies, I realized that this was not my true calling, even though I still enjoy dabbling in 3D modeling from time to time.

I was always convinced that I couldn't be a professional in the automotive industry unless I knew the basics and had done the work myself. When I started studying to be an auto mechanic, I knew exactly what I was getting into from the start. In my teens, I dreamed of becoming a car spare parts salesperson, and my dream came true!

But what happens when dreams come true? They become a part of us, and it's time for new dreams!

And here I am – me and painting.

About painting

In the autumn of 2023, I decided to attend the painting classes organized by Ķekava Art School. The first task from the instructor was to choose a work of another artist and create my own interpretation. I chose Wilhelm Purvītis' painting "The Emperor's Garden" (around 1900). And that's where it all began – I was drawn into the world of painting. The feeling that I could create something pleasing to my eyes with colors and brushes gave me a huge boost of inspiration and confidence. My second painting was of lotus flowers in a minimalist style, in greenish tones. I was extremely happy with the result, but inside, the feeling lingered that it wasn’t quite me. I was so convinced that I wanted to show my world with each painting, a world that is clearly divided right now into two parts – nature and technology. Each of my paintings is based on a life lesson that I want to express with colors and unconventional ideas, using elements from both nature and technology. Each of these elements in the painting has its meaning.

But how pleasant and interesting it is to hear the different feelings and thoughts that arise in people when they look at my work. That indescribable feeling of knowing that I’m able to create something that makes people, in this fast-paced world, stop for a moment and be here and now, perhaps sinking into memories, reflecting a bit, or simply enjoying the art!

Creating each painting is like turning to a new page in a book. It teaches, captivates, makes you think, and helps you improve!

Why exactly antii?

Quite simply... ant is part of my name, which in English means 'ant.' I guess I really want to believe that I have that ant-like activity that keeps me constantly working. However, while philosophizing a bit about the name I gave myself, I accidentally noticed that it contains elements that are so relevant to me at the moment:

Namely, a for art, n for nature, and t for technical.

And what are those two ii for? They're for inspiration and ideas.