Today we’d like to introduce you to Anabel Johnson.
Hi Anabel, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I’ve always been interested in how illustration can take a story or an idea further. The medium that got me started was pen and ink. There’s something about how intricate you can get with it, I will always admire traditional media over digital because it allows room for mistakes that can benefit the artwork. Over the past few years, I’ve been taking on freelance work for various clients to create album/single artwork, merch designs, full illustrations, etc. In December of 2020, I started primarily freelancing in tattoo designing when my ‘album inspired minimal tattoo designs’ series kicked off on TikTok. Since then, I have worked hard to grow an audience on the platform and currently have over 223.3K people following along. I’m so grateful for all the opportunities that has opened for me.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think the most challenging part of it all is keeping up with the ridiculous speed of producing content that social media algorithms require to stay even remotely relevant. I want to put in the work needed to grow as an artist and creator, but it seems that social media is structured in such a way that there is no room for healthy rest. I’m still trying to teach myself that rest is okay and very much a part of the creative process, it’s not me being lazy and it’s certainly not something to feel guilty about.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do quite a bit under the umbrella of illustration and design. While currently mainly working in tattoo designing, I also create editorial, spot, and packaging illustrations. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with multiple bands and musicians to illustrate album/single artwork and merch designs. While being skilled in digital programs such as photoshop, illustrator, premiere, and procreate, I will always come back to traditional mediums. I think maintaining my proficiency in pen and ink, watercolor, gauche, and even film photography are excellent tools to have. I think I’m most proud of my ability to mix the traditional and digital ways of art to really set myself apart from others.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I would let others know that your unique approach to art isn’t wrong because it looks different than how others do it. In fact, that is something to be celebrated and it’s actually something that many artists strive to have, that thing to set them apart. That’s something I really wish I knew when I first started. I was so insecure about my process, how I got my ideas, and how I created as a whole from the very beginning. It took a little while to believe that I actually had something special to offer to the world, and it’s now easier for me to step out and say, “hey, actually, I have something cool to give!”
Contact Info:
- Email: anabeljohnson00@gmail.com
- Website: anabeljohnson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabel.johnson/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOUaE2swazLrwTppB8J-C6w
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@anabekka
Image Credits
Anabel Johnson
