www.anarkitty.co.uk

Artist | Ballycarry, United Kingdom

Hello Emma! Vould you describe yourself in a few words and tell us how you started drawing?
Hello :) My name is Emma Geary aka Anarkitty. I am 30 years old and I live just outside of Belfast Northern Ireland. I have loved drawing since I was pretty young. Went to University and did a Ba(Hons) Degree in Art and design specialising in New Media. I graduated and moved to London for 6 years where I worked for a number of ad agencies and graphic design houses. I became slightly disillusioned with the whole ‘company’ process and went it alone starting up Anarkitty as a playground for my work. Mostly Digital based character illustration. I had always missed drawing by hand and started to ‘try’ painting as a sideline ( I had no formal training in University) It wasn’t until I moved back to Ireland that I started painting and drawing full-time and have been for the last year and a half.

How would you explain your style of illustration?
This is a hard one!! Uhm Lowbrow, candy coated corruption?

What are your creation processes? What part in the work process is the most difficult?
I spend allot of time thinking and mulling over ideas in my head before I try to sketch them down in pencil. I then draw them onto the canvas. Then using oil paints I start to build the painting up in layers.
Assigning colour I find the most difficult process. I cant seem to sketch the idea with a pallet in mind . I almost have to see the painting evolve before I can choose the colours. I kind stop half way through have a panic about them, let it settle in my head and then carry on :)


Her girls (paintings) are beautiful! tell us a little bit more about them.
I think in essence they are, what I can not create within myself.
I suppose their look stems from my fascination and love of Cats and their esoteric attitude. I don’t want the girls to appear aloof, but as comfortable within their own bodies and knowing their own mind and what they want, with no feeling of restraint from surrounding judgements. Just as cats are, they are their own.

In which point do you think technology can help an artist?
Ctrl Z ( edit undo) If only I could have those buttons in my everyday life I would be a very Happy girl :)
I think it opens beautiful new ways of creating, applying and showing your art/work. As well as a allowing us to see and be inspired by all types of creative people we would not be able to see with out technology.

What programs do you use to create your illustrations?
I mostly use pencils and Oils but when I created characters digitally I used Illustrator.


Which draw was the most difficult to do?
There is no particular piece, but when I am finishing up each painting with outlines I find it very scary. I think its because I know I have almost finished and that I could possibly ruin it by a slight misplaced stroke. My hands are pretty shaky when doing fine lines with a paint brush ( I can’t lean as hard to steady myself like I can with a pencil). So I have taken literally to holding my breath :)

What would you tell for those who are starting in this area?
Don’t paint around Kittens, its gets messy and you won’t win!

Your favorite artists?
Lindsay Campbell, Julie West, Stunt Kid, Ray Ceaser, Luke Chueh, Mark Ryden and many more.


Your computer?
Hp… Minion it does what I tell it and works very hard.

What is your favorite food?
Cakes, buns and deserts! Yummy

What kind of music do you like?
All types, from Electroclash to Choral Music, just whatever fits my mood.


Do you have any hobbies outside of art and computing?
Snorkelling, (only because I’m just back from Holiday and miss it so much) and going to the Pub :)

Any final comments?
A huge thank you to Uailab.