Anita Inverarity is a Scottish artist known for her intricate and whimsical illustrations. Her work often features detailed line art and a touch of fantasy, bringing to life enchanting scenes filled with flora, fauna, and captivating characters.
With a unique blend of surrealism and storytelling, Inverarity’s art invites viewers into a magical world where imagination knows no bounds.
Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I always wanted to create in some capacity growing up. Drawing and reading were my main interests. I undertook a Graphic Design course on leaving school and had a couple of print studio jobs, but they never really satisfied my imaginative side. Art took a backseat for many years as I worked in a variety of vocations such as an optical dispenser, comic shop proprietor and childcare manager. In my early 40s illness forced me to rethink my life and adapt to working from home. It was at this point my on and off hobby turned into a career.
What drew you to the style of art you are creating and how would you define it in your own words?
I fell in love with pen mediums back in college. I was inspired by victorian book illustration and japanese wood block prints and would try to emulate the intricate details and patterns. This evolved from working in just black and white initially to using colour with the changing pen technology. I often use the term universal folk as a loose term to describe my style or narrative/storytelling art.
Can you describe your creative process? How do you approach a new project from concept to completion?
It depends on the project. Something mythological might involve some research. I like to immerse myself in books and podcasts around a subject for some time before an idea emerges. I usually just tease out my drawing with mechanical pencil straight onto illustration board. Next would be inking up with fine liners and then I will work on colour and additional detailing with promarkers, watercolour pencil, posca and more linework.
Who or what are your biggest influences in art and/or design?
I probably have a very long list but a few off the top of my head are Mucha, Kaffe Fassett, Vali Myers and Roger Dean.
What materials and techniques do you prefer to use, and why?
I use all dry pen and pencil mediums. I like to feel the connect of my hand on my board. They are also very immediate and transportable. I have some training in oils and watercolour but always go back to penwork as my primary medium. I also love the flat palette that you can create with promarkers which reflects my love of silkscreen and printed works.
Can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?
I have my first big exhibition in several years planned for August-October 2024. The works centre around British Mythology and Folklore against the backdrop of our Standing Stones and Sacred Sites. I have some guest artists joining me and “Secrets of the Stones” opens at Moray Art Centre in beautiful Findhorn here in Scotland at the end of August.
Quite a lot of the new arts will be part of a new oracle deck I am writing for Blue Angel Publishing and will include accompanying poetry for the first time.
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What do you hope people take away from experiencing your art?
I hope perhaps the things that I get from creating them; a sense of magic, wonder and whimsy. Ideas of hope and healing plus a little escape into otherworlds and imaginative realms.
Your favorite quote?
We all see only what we are trained to see- R.A.W
