Anisa is an artist and author who works and lives in the old growth forests of Portland, Oregon. She has a special affinity for vivid colors that pop on the page, and playful forms that invoke a sense of childlike joy. Anisa is a trained printmaker who works in a variety of mediums; her creative roots include political puppet theater and bespoke clothing lines.
WHAT DID YOU GET IN TROUBLE FOR AS A KID? ANYTHING ADULTS TOLD YOU TO AVOID THAT’S ACTUALLY A BIG PART OF YOUR LIFE NOW?
One time in second grade I had to stay in from recess to “correct” my penmanship. I had decided to write all my letters with curlicues — basically I was designing fonts.
ANY PERSON WHO REALLY HELPED YOU IN YOUR AWESOME ARTISTIC JOURNEY?
Bob Ross and my great grandmother. I think they conspired: my grandma bought me all the supplies to paint along with Bob. I was horrible at it.
WHERE DO YOUR BEST IDEAS COME FROM? (DREAMS, SHOWER, MUSEUM, TRAIN?)
The best ones come from not wearing my glasses. My brain makes up funny things when I can’t see.
ON A PROJECT, WHAT’S THE RUSH LIKE WHEN EVERYTHING CLICKS?
I don’t allow myself to fall into that feeling. It only clicks if the client says it’s clicking. I have been heartbroken in the past when a client didn’t feel the same way as me.
HOW DOES CREATIVITY RUN IN YOUR FAMILY, EVEN IF IT’S NOT DESIGN-RELATED?
I have a lot of creative family members. My father was a trendy hair stylist who trained in Paris in the late ‘60s. My mother is an interior designer, and my uncle is a talented Arabic calligrapher.
