. . . has worked as a freelance commercial illustrator from her home-based studio in Moody, Alabama for over 25 years. Anita received her BA degree in Art from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, continuing on to Chicago, Illinois for further study at the American Academy of Art. There she earned a degree in Architectural Illustration, and worked in downtown Chicago with an architectural illustration firm. After moving back to the Birmingham area, Anita worked as in-house illustrator for an architectural firm before launching her freelance career.
As a commercial freelance illustrator, Anita has painted in several artistic styles and media in order to accommodate the demands of each project. The most requested media are pen and ink with computer-generated color, watercolor and airbrush. She also works with individual clients by digitally restoring old photographs, many of which have received international acclaim. This knowledge is also used in courtroom presentations including video enhancement projects.
Most of her artwork is created by hand. However, various computer programs are used for photo retouching and restorations, technical illustrations and fine art. Anita considers the use of the computer to be another tool in the artist’s repertoire, whether utilized in preliminary stages or as the sole generator of a final piece of artwork or illustration. She teaches classes and private lessons in Photoshop and Photoshop Elements from her home studio, as well as traditional painting classes.
Some of her most visible projects include a commission from Books-A-Million to illustrate their version of The Nutcracker. Also, Anita was honored to paint the newest of a collection of historical murals at The Bright Star Restaurant in Bessemer, Alabama, which has been serving customers for over 100 years. The mural includes several landmarks from early Bessemer, Birmingham and surrounding municipalities as well as depicting the growth of the restaurant throughout the years. Anita has also had the privilege of working with national clients such as Donald A. Gardner Architects, America’s Home Place and Southern Progress/Oxmoor House/Southern Living House Plans, helping to create the pen and ink/color renderings featured in their quarterly and bi-annual magazines and websites. Her work has been included in publications such as Airbrush Action Magazine, Airbrush Actions’ The Best of Airbrush Illustration I and II, The Art of Architectural Illustration I and II, and many more.
Currently, Anita is expanding her focus into the area of fine art. Subject matter for acrylic paintings on gallery wrap canvas include boldly colored ‘pots and pans’ and muted abstract florals and landscapes. She also accepts commissions for portraits of homes, people and pets, in the media of pen and ink, charcoal or pastel.