Trained as a graphic designer, I began creating art for myself about 10 years ago, starting simply with a few black pens and a sketchbook. I’ve since incorporated markers, watercolor and acrylic paint, thread, and natural materials in my work. I write about my process and experiments on my blog, A is for Anika and love connecting with other artists & art lovers, so do say hello!
I was born in NY (Long Island!), but have lived in Maryland for most of my life.
Art has been an important part of my life from the time when I was little. I spent a lot of time designing and sewing barbie clothes, painting colorful patterns on scrap blocks of wood from my dad’s wood shop, and writing and illustrating my own books!
I work from home as a freelance graphic designer, and over the past 10 years I have been honing my creative skills in my spare time. At this point I mostly focus on surface design and fine art, although I have a daily creative practice where pretty much anything goes from printmaking, mixed media techniques, embroidery, collage and more.
When I’m not creating, I spend time with my dachshunds, Otto and Kasi who like to take me for walks to make sure I don’t just sit around all day. I love to be outside whether it’s sitting in the shade in the summer under the tall maples in the back yard or trudging through the snow on a walk in the woods in winter.
You can find me elsewhere on the internet:
instagram
twitter
flickr
facebook
pinterest
Hi! I’m so glad I found your blog. You have so much talent and I can’t wait to see how you progress. –Shirlie
Thanks Shirlie! I’m glad you like my art, and will be posting more soon!
Hey there, I have been browsing the net looking for other artists who use all types of mediums and just love to make art every day and I think your blog is a nice stumble upon, as it were. I looked at some of your stuff and I like what I see (watercolors are so hard to work with!)
I’m also seeking feedback on my own (fledgling) site and work and I’ll happily comment on your works as soon as I get proper time to look.
(Also looking here makes me realize even if my sketches aren’t finished I should upload them either way; the ones I like anyway.)
Cheers
hey there! thanks for sharing your art pieces. enjoy it very much! looking forward to seeing more! 🙂
Anika–I just discovered your blog via the amazing Abbey over at Aesthetic Outburst. I was excited to see you’re up in Baltimore (I’m down in Silver Spring). Wondering if you ever do any shows down in DC, or if you sell your work anywhere cause I really love it!
I came across your blog completely by accident, and it made me warm and fuzzy inside to see that we shared the same name, albeit different spellings.
I love your use of colors and shapes. I save a lot of your pictures on my laptop for color inspiration–you have wonderful combinations and even something as simple as the line drawings you have are striking because of it.
Hello Anika!
I work in Interiorvista, a Spanish company based in Barcelona. We are constantly searching for innovative artists to collaborate with us, I found out about your work via Flickr, it feels fresh and looks beautiful!. We would like to have the opportunity to send you our proposal for your review.
We are interested to use some of your artwork to enrich the virtual ambiances we create for our clients.
We are looking forward to your favourable reply!
Best Regards,
Sergio Ferrao
sferrao@interiorvista.net
+34 617 093 815
Anika, thanks for your recent comment! It inspired me to continue my list.
http://karimaxwell.blogspot.com/2012/11/listing-100-continued-plus-29-and.html
Happy pattern making….
Hi Anika, thanks for sharing your art. I am curious, as it is something I have thought about doing as well, how you have transposed your doodles and hand drawings from paper and ink to being good grphaical images on the screen. I have struggled with getting the lighting right or having the scan look right when trying to do this myself. Thanks.
Hi Anika! I love your work and your very warm and friendly blog. I’m an artist (and Mom) in D.C. I’m completely inspired by the Pattern-a-Day project, and I think I’m going to start doing it myself tonight. I’m glad to have found your blog.