London based Kelly Anna’s illustration work has soared in popularity since the launch of her series for the Tokyo Olympics.
Although now based in east London, Kelly Anna was born and raised in Suffolk and her dad used to talk her on country trips during which she would paint her surroundings. She claims to have learnt a lot from him and owes a lot of her technique – especially the blend of clean graphics and texture – to his encouragement and teachings.
Now with a decorative studio in Hackney Wick, Anna demonstrates a powerfully decorative yet strong niche. Across her portfolio, we see a cohesive and beautiful tapestry of what she describes as “strong silhouetted forms, with a focus on sport, movement, and empowerment”.
Fittingly for the Olympics, Kelly Anna states that her work is also inspired by movement as her parents were ballroom and Latin dancers. The mixing of sport and art is exactly what Kelly Anna holds dear to her heart and this mix of influences are very present in her work today whether it is a particular movement, mantra, or a direct reference, sport and dance are at the heart of most things she creates today.
From Nike to Chelsea FC to this year’s Tokyo Olympics, Kelly Anna proves herself time and time again as a highly commissionable and endlessly productive illustrator. She’s found a balancing act between filling briefs and doing her own personal work, and sometimes even blending the two.
