Today we’d like to introduce you to Izma Anwar
Izma, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am Bangladeshi and grew up in Dhaka — a city choked with dust, replete with traffic, bustling with as many rickshaws as people, and not a moment’s rest.
At seventeen, I swapped the familiar chaos of home with the steady calm of eSwatini — a small monarch country in Southern Africa, with its cool, serene mountains and rolling hills. Here, I lived for two years and earned my International Baccalaureate Diploma.
Post-pandemic, I somehow managed to land myself in the Deep South, setting up camp in Savannah, Georgia — dreamy with Spanish moss, rich with history. Here, I obtained my BFA in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art & Design.
And now, drawn back to chaos once more, I find myself in New York City, where I’ve set up shop as a Freelance Illustrator.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road was not smooth… But looking back, most of my struggles sprouted either from the way I saw myself, or the way I let myself believe others saw me — or to rephrase, just some good old imposter syndrome.
My problems now, I recognize as part of the textbook twenties experience: feeling lost, feeling lonely, at odds with the future and struggling to find meaning. And as strange as it sounds, I’m welcoming them.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an Illustrator & Designer and I specialize in Children’s Book, as well as Food/Lifestyle Illustration. I like to think that my art makes people feel some sense of wonder, at ease if not at home, or at the least, really really hungry.
Profession aside, I also happen to be a tea-drinker (with milk, always), avid notetaker, sad literature-enjoyer, and amateur on Letterboxd. I really enjoy parks and trees and once in a while, I gaslight myself into going on non-beginner hikes that I ultimate regret. Naturally, I let all these aspects of myself and my life trickle into my art.
Like any other artist, I want to be able to create, to inform and educate, and spark joy. I hope, not only to narrate stories, but also advocate for causes that I believe in, and foster a sense of community. And to simply entertain the idea that I am indeed capable of doing so, astounds me. And of that, I am most proud of.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Me, I’ve never been one with much foresight when it comes to the industry. But my understanding is that in the wake of advanced AI technology, traditional artwork and materials have gained a renewed sense of appreciation which is much-deserved. Art with layers, textures and imperfections have a sort of grit and honesty that no computer can generate and I wish for it to persist and thrive.
As for personal changes, it’s only been a couple of weeks since I moved into the city. While it feels slightly overwhelming, I look forward to meeting new people and creatives and form lasting relationships. I hope to keep learning and improving my craft, and putting good work out there. Lastly, I cannot wait to explore this city that I am lucky enough to now call home.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://izmaanwar.myportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milksore/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/izmaanwar/
Image Credits
Izma Anwar