Meet Anabelle Rottman | Digital Illustrator & Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anabelle Rottman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anabelle, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Creativity is magic. No matter the medium, it has the power to make people truly think and feel. But the magic isn’t that it just portrays thoughts and feelings, it’s how these thoughts and feelings end up affecting and inspiring people. Through seeing how colors and shapes work together in a certain painting, or how camera angles and dialogue may pair in a certain film, we learn how to better understand others’ perspectives and ourselves.

While I’m sure there will be tons of bumps in the road and unexpected turns, I’m proud to say I’ve chosen to take the creative path. It’s a dream of mine for one of my works to inspire someone. Knowing that this kind of magic exists and that I could be a part of it, I can’t picture spending my time doing anything else. My life just wouldn’t make much sense without it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The creative journey is a long one, and at 18 years old, I can definitively say I’m only just beginning. A year ago I decided to opt out of my senior year of high school by taking the GED so that I could devote my full attention to pursuing my dream career – digital illustration. Some would say I made a risky decision, but my heart was set on this path so I knew it was right for me. While I considered art school, I had just left a system and wasn’t eager to hop back into another one. I also loved the possibility of a flexible lifestyle that can come with a creative career. I took it upon myself to teach myself the fundamentals the best way I know how – by drawing. My main source of education is by doing film studies. I’m extremely inspired by cinema, so getting to commemorate my favorite movies while also practicing my art techniques is a perfect fit for me. I also love how illustration and cinematography go hand in hand as they share devices like color, lighting, composition, and visual storytelling. The more I practice, the more I learn, and the more I understand what makes my art mine. While I’m nowhere near mastering art (I believe that art can never be mastered, only improved upon), I have started to branch from drawing my studies to illustrating my own children’s book. Since the start, writing and illustrating a children’s book has been my goal.

I feel grateful that alongside my illustrative journey, I’ve dabbled in graphic design work. Graphic design, like illustration, also exists to tell a story. Through working with others and helping bring clients’ ideas to reality, I’ve gained a lot of perspective when it comes to how art manifests itself in day-to-day life. One of my most recent opportunities was getting to build the logo and brand identity of Positiv Energy, a gas station in Brentwood. I’ve also been fortunate to work on other graphic design projects including logos, apparel designs, and a marketing campaign. These experiences have taught me how art and business can work cohesively together.

It’s been less than a year and so much has already happened in my creative journey. I am thrilled for wherever my road takes me next.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m LA born and raised – here are a few of my favorite gems that I’ve found. During the day, a tried-and-true classic would be to go to the beach in Malibu. Not much beats chilling on the beach with some good music and friends. If you happen to be here during November/December, definitely stay to watch the sunset. By far some of the most beautiful views I’ve seen have been in Malibu during sunset season. Another great day would be hitting Venice Boardwalk. The variety of art you’ll find is a sight to see. It’s a creative hodgepodge. If you have a few days to spend, exploring Catalina is really fun. It’s a laid-back, island getaway that seems to move at a slower pace than the rest of LA. For the shoppers, Silverlake Flea Market has the best finds. It’s big enough so that there’s a good assortment, but not too big that you can’t browse through it all. There’s also this funky place called Hidden Treasures in Topanga that sells vintage clothing and other trinkets. It’s worth the visit just for the outside of the building; I swear it looks straight out of Neverland. At night, it’s a must to drive the Sunset Strip. It’s so authentically LA and never gets old. For dinner, I’d recommend Yamashiro in Hollywood. Make sure you go after sunset because the lookout of the city and the lantern lighting make for an insane view. I’m also a fan of this place Downtown called Mrs. Fish. The sushi is delicious and the atmosphere is so fun. The whole place is decked out with modern Japanese art which really adds to the vibe of the restaurant. Elephante is a yummy Italian spot in Santa Monica that has a cool space with an ocean view. I also love a good cheeseburger and have found some tasty ones at The Win-dow in Venice and Pono Burger in Santa Monica.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To the independent thinkers out there who aren’t afraid to take unconventional paths to do what you love, thank you. Stories like yours inspire me daily and give me hope in my own journey.

More specifically, I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my incredible parents. They ignited a spark for life in me by raising me to prioritize what I feel passionate about. Without their belief in me, I wouldn’t have the belief I have in myself.

I also want to give a big thank you to my two dance instructors/choreographers, Charissa Seaman and Ricky Cole, who were such inspiring role models of what living a life as a creative could look like. They each lead their lives with so much light and both played large roles in giving me the confidence to make my art my profession.

Instagram: @anabelleillustrates

Other: Email: anabellerottman@gmail.com

Image Credits
All art belongs to me, references are taken from the following films: Moonrise Kingdom (2012), Good Will Hunting (1997), Whiplash (2014), Love Actually (2003), Titanic (1997), The Godfather (1972).