Meet Izma Anwar | Illustrator & Designer

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

Hi Izma, why did you pursue a creative career?
The easy answer to that question would be, because I liked drawing and fortunately had a knack for it. But if we were to pick it apart then simply, I guess I always knew that nothing made me happier than creating; and perhaps selfishly, I wanted to pursue whatever sparked that joy for me. I discovered a love for visual storytelling and wanted to connect with people through my illustrations.

Additionally, for as long as I can remember, the South Asian sentiment towards creative careers had been reductive and abasing – “art is just a hobby, not a profession,” so on and so forth – so the possibility of proving that notion wrong was simply too enticing. It also just feels so much cooler be able to say that I make art for a living.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
For me, I like to think of my art as not only a means of visual storytelling but also a form of self preservation. While I thoroughly enjoy being able to communicate something compelling or complex through my work, I also love the fact that I can illustrate my thoughts, opinions and hobbies just as easily. My personal illustrations are more or less a visual diary that reflects what I like, what I am feeling, which books I read one particular year, or the exact show I’m bingeing at this current moment.

More than wanting to do something new or different, I always hoped to create art that would resonate with people. I liked portraying the shared experiences and simple joys of everyday life – something that could spark debates and conversations. And although the notion sounded pleasant, it was difficult convincing people – and myself – that I could make a living doing it. Furthermore, in a discipline especially as competitive and saturated with talent as illustration, imposter-syndrome always lurked like an unwelcome friend. It is something that I struggle with even now, but I’ve learned to remind myself that there is room enough for all of us to thrive. It’s never about being better than anyone else; I just have to be good enough for me.

One of my favorite projects that I worked on was for the short film, “Masala Chai” that my friend directed while at SCAD. I had full control over its key art and artistic direction, creating the film’s title sequence and designing all the assets for their social media. I was able to experiment with different types of animation and work in various styles. Another more recent project that I loved is a Google Doodle I illustrated to celebrate “fuchka,” a popular Bangladeshi street food that I’m obsessed with and have been craving lately.

Ultimately, I found a sense of fulfillment in what I do, and I am only getting started. My works are full of wonky shapes and bold colors, with type, and movement, and a whole lot of texture – growing up in a city as tumultuous and bewitching as Dhaka will do that to you. I was always surrounded by colors and chaos, and the unapologetic loudness of it all is what has inspired, and stuck with me the most as an artist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My ideal to-do list for a week in Savannah would include:

-Café hopping; there is literally one in every corner. Both Foxy Loxy and Galleria Espresso are bright, cozy spaces for grabbing a drink and having a chat. (Also fun fact: they filmed a scene from “May December” starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in the latter!)
-Getting bagels at Spread Bagelry (my go-to order is the honey pistachio on a sesame bagel)
-E. Shavers Booksellers has a great selection of books with staff picks and three beautiful cats you might get to pet if you’re lucky…
-The Farmer’s Market at Forsyth Park (happens every Saturday from 9am-1pm; great produce, freshly-baked goods and art from local vendors)
-Visiting the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist for some exquisite architecture
-Grabbing lunch at PJ’s Thai or ETang for Chinese (so, so good)
-Spending a day at Tybee beach! (Raw Ingredients also has some of the best sushi out there)
-Totally Awesome Bar on a night out (play pool and do some karaoke with friends!)
-Taking a walk along River Street; explore all the shops, and watch the sunset 🙂

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?
To my mentors, teachers and professors, who have uplifted me when need be, humbled me when necessary, and guided me through it all. Thank you for the push and patience.

To all my wonderful friends and peers, who have either witnessed or listened to the ugly mental breakdowns and 4 am existential crises, and would happily sit through many more. Thank you for the cheers and tenacity.

And most importantly, to my parents, my sister (and our cats) who deserve all the gratitude for having faith in my capabilities – at times, more than myself – and encouraging my artistic journey from across continents. Knowing that I have their unconditional support fuels me to become a better artist and a better person everyday. Thank you for everything.

Website: https://izmaanwar.myportfolio.com/

Instagram: @milksore

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izmaanwar/

Image Credits
Izma Anwar© 2024