We recently connected with Anabelle Rottman and have shared our conversation below.
Anabelle, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Simply put, I think that creativity is fueled by life. The more you live and the more you experience, the more chance there is something that will spark inspiration. Expose yourself to new places, new adventures, new people. Try different foods. Listen to a wide range of music. Watch tons of movies. Read lots of books. Whatever it is, keep your mind moving. And as you absorb all of what life has to offer, train yourself to find how these things connect to you. This point where life and you meet is where imagination and creativity ignite.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Professionally, I’m very new to the world of digital illustration and graphic design. I teach myself the fundamentals of art and continue to develop my style through drawing studies from my favorite films. I love the approach because it combines two passions of mine while also helping me become familiar with devices like color, lighting, composition, and visual storytelling. These skills have proved themselves necessary in the process of my current project, writing and illustrating a children’s book. Working in KidLit is a big dream of mine; I’m enamored by the imagination and wonder that comes with being a kid and want to use my creative work to encourage it. Having taught dance, I spent time with little dancers who inspired me constantly. With my art, I hope to reciprocate.
In addition to my personal illustrative work, I’ve also had the pleasure of taking part in various commissioned graphic design projects. Recently, I’ve collaborated with clients on logos, apparel designs, a marketing campaign, and the logo and brand identity of Positiv Energy, a gas station in West LA. These opportunities have opened my eyes to a different yet equally innovative side of art and storytelling. I feel grateful for the experience I’ve gained and lessons I’ve learned that will without a doubt help guide me in the early stages of my career.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’m only just beginning my journey so I’m sure there are many skills I’ve yet to acquire and lessons I’ve yet to learn. However, I think we’re in a constant state of growth and that there’s no real benchmark to hit when it comes to life. So, at this early stage, the following qualities seem to stand out in terms of helping me.
Balance. I think life is all about trying to find and maintain balance. At first, I bought into the idea that the harder you work, the more successful you’ll be. To some extent that’s true, but not when you prioritize your work over yourself. I learned quite quickly that an irrational amount of hours spent working doesn’t result in professional growth; it results in burnout, stress, guilt, etc. Balancing work alongside physical, mental, emotional, and social health is key to your success. What that balance is looks different for everyone. It’s crucial to find what that balance looks like for you and do your best to practice it daily. I’m still learning what my balance is, but have already noticed that shifting my focus is helping me cultivate a much more sustainable path to achieving my dreams.
Authenticity. Our culture tends to encourage you to be something you’re not. We are praised for originality, as long as it falls within the trending ideals. It seems like more and more, people are afraid to speak their minds and to follow their own beliefs. This is a scary truth because the more we allow the fear of judgment to dictate our life path, the more we lose ourselves. I think it’s so important to find the courage to be authentic so that you are living your life for you. We are all individuals with unique thoughts, unique perspectives, and unique dreams. It’s silly to think that one path will work for all. Making decisions that serve your happiness, regardless if they appease society or not, plays a pivotal role in living the life you desire.
Discipline. Last but certainly not least, discipline is an essential quality when it comes to executing goals. While motivation is what initiates a project, it is not what finishes it. I get so frustrated when that flame of excitement that comes when I start something new burns out so quickly. All of a sudden, my fun idea has turned into a jumble of problems for me to sort out. Inertia builds and the finish line seems to grow farther and farther away. By developing your mindset to keep focus on the bigger picture, you build the ability to push through the challenging and mundane. This is an ongoing process and is something I have to work on every day. It’s definitely easier said than done, but if you learn how to have discipline, you truly can turn a dream into reality.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Since I started my professional journey as an artist a year ago, I’ve seen a lot of changes and growth in the past 12 months. I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in a wide spread of areas in my life. In particular, I’m most proud of my improvement in trusting myself and my process. Between others’ voices and the voices of my own doubts and insecurities, it can be really challenging to stay on track. However the more I had to confront these voices, the more I learned how to change my perspective toward them. With practice and time, what the voices had to say grew less and less significant compared to the belief I had grown in myself. Now, while I’m nowhere near perfect, when judgment or fear comes creeping in, rather than letting it steer me off my path, I use it to reaffirm my trust in myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @anabelleillustrates
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
All art belongs to me, references are taken from the following films: Good Will Hunting (1997), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Marie Antoinette (2006).
