Kelly Anna
Illustrator based in South London
kellyannalondon.com @kellyannalondon
Published in Volume Thirteen
Kelly Anna grew up surrounded by art, with her father being an artist—a man she describes as a big critic in the best way, and one of the most incredible figurative sketchers she knows. «He just understands how to capture the figure without any hesitation and with so much confidence», she says. A skill that obviously has been passed on to the next generation, as Kelly herself is celebrated across the globe for her energetic illustrations of strong women in powerful postures.
“The figures are often a portrayal of how I see women. God like, very strong mentally and physically. ”
“The figures are often a portrayal of how I see women. God like, very strong mentally and physically. I grew up with a strong female figure, my mother. Which made it only natural to see myself that way too. Which I’m very thankful for,” Kelly says.
Kelly’s strong characters are often accompanied by inspiring quotes like “never tame your game” and “work like everyone’s watching”—a message that has caught the eye of the world and has led her to work with clients such as Nike, Cara Delevingne, and Beyoncé. But she doesn’t blame it all on her talent or the work she produces.
“A lot of my work comes through my Instagram. It’s the best way for people to see my work and my personality. I think so much of today isn’t just about what you do, but how you present yourself and your lifestyle. It all rolls into one, which can be really fun. And if you stay true to what you’re trying to do and say, people will eventually catch up on it.”
And they sure did.
