Meet Ianakas | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ianakas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ianakas, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
To be honest it felt like I was destined to pursue it. I’d been drawing for 20+ years and I always felt the most stimulating when I was creating, but I was too afraid to take that leap. That changed in 2020 when I was laid off due to COVID and I decided to give it an honest effort, and here we are.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My ultimate goal is to draw black characters in ways that aren’t traditionally seen in black art, and I believe that sets me apart. For example, I’m a huge fan of color blocking portraits and character designs with vibrant colors, and it conveys the message that dark skin looks even better when paired with vibrancy.

My journey hasn’t been easy, but that’s mainly because I struggled to understand my market. I’m an illustrator which actually makes all the difference when trying to find work or projects, but it doesn’t make it difficult. I just had to observe, adjust my mindset, and create opportunities for myself.

A big lesson I’ve learned and one I want everyone to know is if your work looks different and draws a lot of positive attention, you’re onto something. And regardless of whether or not it does, keep experimenting with new styles to be as flexible as possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This question is kinda tough since I’m a homebody haha. But I’m a huge fan of art museums and exhibits in all forms, so the High Museum of Art is high on the list, pun not intended. Followed by other art galleries and communities such as Chace Village, Peters Street Station, and even the Spelman Art Museum. Maybe even travel a bit to see some of the larger-than-life sculptures by the talented Ellex Swavoni.

As for food, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken, Slutty Vegan, Atlanta Breakfast Club, and Le Petit Marche are high on the list as their food really is top tier.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are a few people actually! First is my mother for always supporting my endeavors while helping to keep me grounded. Next is the artist George F. Baker III for instilling me with a newfound inspiration and helping me pursue a new path. Third is the poet/wordsmith Natalie Cook for inspiring me to stick to my craft, though she won’t know she had that effect on me until she reads this.

Website: ianakasdraws.com

Instagram: instagram.com/aeonparty

Twitter: twitter.com/ianakas