We recently connected with Anna Kutsia and have shared our conversation below.
Anna, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
My passion for the creative arts has been a constant throughout my life, manifesting itself in my earliest memories of drawing from my kindergarten days and possibly even before. The joy I derived from creating visual narratives fueled my wish to be an artist. My interest in animation was sparked by the enchanting world of older animated Disney movies, where characters came to life through drawings and their voice acting, inspiring my desire to understand and contribute to this magical process.
As I progressed through high school, my artistic journey encountered a significant turning point. In my graduating year, faced with the pressures and stresses of the exams and university preparations, I sought solace and distraction in the world of video games. Two titles, OXENFREE and Night in the Woods, left an everlasting mark on me with their captivating art direction and compelling storytelling. This experience led me to change my aspirations, shifting my focus from animation to game development.
Anna, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Greetings, I’m Anna, also known as Chocoreetu, hailing originally from Tiflis, Georgia, and currently based in Austria. In the expansive realm of the creative arts, my journey has taken me through various disciplines, creating a rich tapestry of skills and experiences.
I officially entered the creative field by graduating high school as a graphic designer, and my academic pursuits at university further broadened my expertise. Today, I’m well-versed in a spectrum of creative domains, including photography, graphic design, illustrations, concept art, animation, motion graphics, and even VTuber rigging.
My venture into offering art commissions commenced in February 2019, spurred by my involvement in a gaming Discord community. Sharing fanart of a beloved game sparked interest, leading to requests for more artwork featuring favorite characters and beyond.
What really makes me happy and proud is the awesome community and friends I’ve made. Through this journey, I’ve connected clients with talented artists that perfectly suited their needs more, making exciting collaborations happen. It’s more than just creating art; it’s about cultivating a vibrant, supportive network where artistic friendships thrive.
As a creative professional, I am not merely offering products or services; I am a curator of experiences, bringing visions to life through a diverse array of mediums. What sets me apart is not just my technical proficiency but my dedication to building meaningful connections within the creative community.
To potential clients, followers, and fans, I invite you to join me on this creative adventure. Beyond the art, it’s about the shared experiences, collaborations, and the thriving community we continue to build together.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
In my artistic journey, one significant lesson I had to unlearn revolved around the perception of drawing in the anime style. Like many artists, I initially honed my skills by drawing characters in the distinctive anime aesthetic. Captivated by its uniqueness and stark departure from Western cartoons, I embraced the style as a means of improvement.
However, during my formal art education, I encountered resistance to the anime style from my instructors. The prevailing sentiment was that this style was deemed unsuitable for a European market, often emphasizing that it was exclusive to the Asian industry. Consequently, I spent over a decade grappling with the notion that the anime style was somehow inferior or incompatible with broader artistic pursuits.
Over time, I came to a profound realization. There is no universally correct way to draw, and personal artistic expression should not be confined by preconceived notions. Despite the initial pressure to abandon the anime style, I now advocate for the freedom to draw in any style that brings joy and fulfillment. It took me years to break free from the imposed limitations, and I now appreciate the diversity of styles that make art so rich and dynamic. It is a testament to the fact that artistic expression knows no boundaries, and every style has its place in the evolving landscape of creative endeavors.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist, for me, is seeing the genuine joy and satisfaction of my clients. It’s incredibly fulfilling to witness the delight on a client’s face when they receive the completed work. This happiness is further amplified when I see the practical impact of the art, such as its incorporation into various platforms like stream chat emotes, stream overlays, or Dungeons and Dragons campaigns—even something as simple as clients printing out the artwork to have it framed on their wall.
Contributing to the happiness and creative expression of others through my work is a source of immense fulfillment. Knowing that my creations play a role in enhancing the experiences of clients, whether in their digital content creation or recreational activities, adds a profound layer of meaning to my artistic endeavors. Ultimately, the reciprocal joy derived from making others happy through my art forms a cornerstone of my creative journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chocoreetu.carrd.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocoreetu/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/chocoreetu
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chocoreetu/