2004 MDSc (Master of Design Science, Digital Media) - The University of Sydney.

2004 Dean's Honour Award - The University of Sydney.

1997 Executive Chef "Best Specialty Restaurant" winner Sydney.

1996 2nd Chef “Best Specialty Restaurant” winner.

1989-1999 Chef (Sydney Restaurants-specialty cuisines).

1992 BA (Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Social Anthropology- The University of Sydney)

-Navigating the challenges of sketching in a new country.

-Pack a practical and portable sketch kit.

-Quickly set up and sketch scenes in various settings.

-Approach strangers and sketch them in their environment.

-Choose the perfect spot in a local café or market to sketch.

-Capture the essence of rural landscapes, such as rice fields.

-Feel confident sketching anywhere, anytime.

-Sketch in busy markets without disrupting the flow of business.

-Understand what you see by capturing the shapes and movements in your sketchbook.

your favourite sketchbook

a small travel palette with a few watercolour 1/2 pans (yellow, red and blue minimum)

a few watercolour (aquarelle) pencils

a black waterproof pigment pen

a size 4 or 6 paintbrush (or water brush)

small water container with screw top lid

Please avoid cheap office supply shop brands. Especially Montmartre, Jasart, and Born brands. If you are unsure, see the more detailed list with links HERE

Meet the founder of Art Food Culture

I am Anna Barnes founder of Anna’s Art, Food & Culture Experiences. I am an artist, chef and anthropologist. I am also a long-time traveller to Vietnam.

I design and host Creative Experiences in Vietnam. I aim to help people connect, transform, recover, and thrive through art, food, and cultural experiences. My love and passion for Vietnam, the people, the culture and the food has brought me to a deep desire to share it with you. I believe that with the right guides, your experiences are enhanced, and you feel confident to take that corner, sit in that eatery, and strike up that connection with that grandma who invites you in for tea. You come away having had the time of your life!

My goal is to share with you the incredible beauty of the culture beyond the service and hospitality industries, beyond simply looking at pretty scenery, and beyond eating the easily accessible foods of the high ranking tourist restaurants.

We go on creative and sensory journeys, coming together in small groups in safe & exciting locations, provoking life long curiosity and connections.

I design slow travel experiences with the emphasis being connecting with local people, nature, food, art, music, stories and the history of the places we go. We learn to travel sketch or keep a travel journal and are curious eaters and foodies. We go out of our comfort zone a little to go off the beaten track and experience grassroots culture.

We remain sustainable for local communities, the local environment, ourselves and our creative lives.