Meet the amazing illustrator, Ana
A note from Ana
Deciding to work on this book was an incredibly easy decision for me! A huge reason why I freelance is because it gives me the freedom to choose who and what I work for. After our first conversation I was buzzing. Janet’s vision for the book aligned perfectly with what I believe is important. I immediately fell in love with Janet’s poems. To me, they capture the true essence of living in Aotearoa.
I love the playfulness of the book. Bringing the characters and scenes to life was a really fun, collaborative process!
I don’t think I can choose a favourite rhyme but I definitely laughed the most when creating the illustration for Hip Chooks!
I cannot wait for Kiwi Rhymes for Modern Times to be shared with you all. I hope it makes you laugh and reminds you of how lucky we are to call this place home!
Read more about Ana below, or visit her website for more of her beautiful works.
Learn more about Ana
My work explores the interconnectedness of art, the environment and wellbeing. It struck me recently that this unification stems from my early experiences growing up in rural Banks Peninsula, immersed in nature.
Creativity was embedded in our lives and at times helped me to cope with living in a remote place. I treasure the time I had with my nana when I was very young, who taught me how to knit and sew. Resourcefulness was encouraged - we fixed or re-used things, rather than throw them away.
So it felt very natural for me to pursue a creative pathway. I started my visual communication degree at Ara, Christchurch in 2017 and leapt at the opportunity to complete it in Boone, USA. Living in the states was culturally a very eye opening experience. By incorporating sustainable development into my studies, I witnessed the powerful impact art can have in making change. While in the states I experienced a creative freedom to explore different ways to express my ideas and new mediums. I fell in love with charcoal after attending workshops there, and since returning, have led a couple of successful workshops in charcoal, and I hope to do more!
After Covid19 put an end to my plans to travel, I’ve pursued diverse opportunities - freelance graphic design, work in a surf shop and at an arts and mental health charity.
My graphic design work draws on my physical art practices like painting and drawing. I have been extremely fortunate as a lot of the clients I have had, have shared the same worldview as me. They’ve also supported my artistic approach to graphic design.
I’m the creative director at Sadhana Surfboards, a traditional hand shaper in Christchurch. The job has given me so much freedom and allowed me to connect with other creators when we opened up the shop as a platform for local artists to display and sell their work.
At Ōtautahi Creative Spaces, a creative community for people with experience of mental distress, I’m involved with an arts practice that boosts mental health and supports people on their journey’s of recovery. I love seeing people thrive through creating and connecting with other artists.
Therefore art is interwoven in my world as a force for change, a tool for wellbeing, and a point of connection to the natural world.
