Anne Connor-Schroten shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Anne, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
More than anything, my animals and my partner bring me the most joy. Together, my partner and I have two dogs and a cat. All of those goobers serve their own purpose in the household. Jessie, my old-lady dog, shuffles about, dances for food, and flops on the nearest bed with her tongue sticking out. Bongo, our young, boisterous dog, wiggle-worms in excitement, naps with you side-by-side with a muffled snore, and reminds us that we must remember to play. Sapphire, our middle-aged cat, mostly keeps to herself, but shares her time with us by curling on top of us in our sleep and weaving between our legs when she thinks there’s food involved. Being able to spend time with our brigade of four-legged children alongside my partner in our downtime brings me upmost joy. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Anne Connor-Schroten (pronounced like Anna from Frozen) that professionally goes by Punkrat Studio, and I am an illustrator and graphic designer that works a 9-5 graphic design job in addition to freelancing as the projects come my way. My personal work that I love produce has a sketchbook-like (and sometimes painterly) quality, typically encapsulated by the intentional placement of line work. I love working in experimental mixed-media. Ink, acrylic paint, and archival glue are my best friends. I think my best quality as an artist is not limiting myself to a set style. Everything I create definitely has my own flair, but what can I say? I don’t like being trapped in a box!
My day to day job is in a niche industry; I design the graphics for bikes, electric ride-ons, and other piece-types. These could either be custom graphics or taking apart licensed graphics (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Tony Hawk, Bluey, etc.) to create something entirely new. I never expected that I would be in this industry, but you never know where the wind will take you!
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe I was “small.” Not physically small; more like… spiritually small. I didn’t want people to perceive me as I was, and would prefer to make myself a chameleon to fit in with the masses. I was constantly battling myself with who I wanted to be (an alternative person with crazy, electric hair that wears bracelets and band tees) versus what I perceived others wanted me to be. Now that I’m older and more settled in with who I am, I’ve come to the conclusion that the bottom line is: who cares! If they DO care, they’re not the people for you. Be “big!” Take up space. You’re allowed to!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
“It’s okay to be different; you can still love yourself.”
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Though I am not a proponent of parasocial behavior, I’ve got to say that Hayley Williams, front runner of Paramore, has been a long-standing person that I’ve admired from afar. Though climbing the fame-ladder for 20 some-odd years, she has not allowed the fame to go to her head. She is active politically, releasing songs from her solo career like “True Believer” or “The News” under Paramore. She uses her platform to educate the masses on social and political injustices. I admire anyone who uses their platform in a positively advantageous way for others. It takes a village to create change, but not all of us have the ability to carry a microphone and deliver that message to thousands of people on stage or millions of people online. It takes strong character, and I appreciate her unwavering support for those that need our collective aid.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace sitting outside, hearing the birds chirp and the bugs sing, with a light breeze passing by. It’s my designated “lizard time!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://punkratstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/punkratstudio/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/punkratstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/punkratstudio
Image Credits
For the Image of Artist: Sofia Beck
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
