Meet Anna Schroeder | Illustrator & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anna Schroeder and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anna, how do you think about risk?
Risk has presented itself in many different ways in my life. As a not-so-much-of-a-people-person person, interacting with others and taking advantage of networking opportunities is often a difficult thing for me to do. For a long time I found myself constantly sabotaging incredible opportunities for my artistic career and personal life, simply because I was scared.

While social media makes me want to rip my face off most of the time, I have been introduced to many great pieces of writing. TikTok once showed me a slideshow of uplifting quotes and images (these posts are known as “hope core”) which practically changed my life. One of the quotes read, “do things scared.”

While the fear of rejection and embarrassment is always there, I do things regardless. Even when all I want to do is lay in bed and not have to worry about how to give a good handshake or make sure my pit stains don’t show–I’ll do it all scared, because doing it scared means I did it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create quirky, meaningful stories and illustrations that don’t take themselves too seriously and embrace life’s absurdity. My work is unique because it’s mine. No one else sees the world the way I do–which sounds very egotistical–but it’s true! And that’s the beauty of creating, no one else has your exact world-view!

It’s a very interesting experience to be both a writer and illustrator, as both art forms are quite different from each other. To me, writing feels like a very structured art form with rules and standards. With illustration–it’s all sort of free reign. Sure, there’s structure when it comes to human anatomy and color theory–but ultimately, anything is possible. In my creative process, I feel like I approach each form almost backwards. When writing, I throw caution to the wind and get it all out at once. There’s no planning or spreadsheets or direction. I dump it all out, then clean up the mess as I re-read over and over until the words sound right. I honestly think I do more preparation work with my illustrations than I do with my short stories and poetry.

I am most excited about the opportunities my artistic career has presented me with. I’ve had the privilege of working with so many brilliant and talented artists while attending the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), which has kept me continuously inspired. It’s so important to be surrounded by other creatives. There’s a magical energy in the air that can’t be felt or heard, but it’s certainly there, and you feel it.

As a soon-to-be graduate, I am overwhelmed by different career paths and where I’m headed next. I am both beyond terrified and excited for my next steps. It wasn’t easy to get to the finish line by any means–but I’m forever grateful for the all-nighters and incredible coffee in Savannah.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There’s a million cool places to check out in Savannah, Georgia. One of the first places I would take a friend is to the Savannah Smiles Piano Bar. It’s the best way to spend a Friday night. We’ll put in requests for our favorite songs and take a photo in the Photo Booth. The next place would have to be Totally Awesome Bar–which definitely lives up to its name. There’s pool tables, arcade games, great music and karaoke, all beneath a sky of Christmas lights and wacky decorations. With a counter made of old cassette tapes and Ferris Bueller taped to the ceiling, it feels like a friend’s dad’s super cool nostalgic man-cave in the basement.

For breakfast, we’d have to go to Goody’s for their Vietnamese iced coffee and incredible sandwiches and 70’s decor. Next door, we can shop for plants at Stump.

We can end the day walking down River Street, enjoying coffee chocolate chip ice cream from Leopold’s and watching the container ships go by.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have so many amazing people in my life to thank for keeping me inspired and giving me continuous support. My mom, Rebecca Lichtenthal, is definitely one of those people. While I somehow didn’t inherit her effortless ability to be her authentic self without any care of what others think, I learn from her every day. My mom’s genuine kindness and love for people is nothing short of admirable. In high school, my sister’s friends would often come over just to talk to my mom. Her sincere advice and kind smile created a safe space for kids who weren’t even her own to vent and find comfort.

In October 2022, my mom officially opened the doors to her very own holistic health and wellness business, Lotus Valley Wellness, in Fredonia, New York. I couldn’t be more proud of my mom. She dedicates all the time she has to her business and it truly shows. Clients of hers have expressed how life-changing her services are–which comes as no surprise to me. My mom is the walking embodiment of genuine kindness. I know the importance of gratitude and kindness because of her.

As I am on the precipice of graduating from the Savannah College of Art & Design, I owe it all to my mom and incredible family for giving me the courage to pursue what I love most. I’ve never had to question if I made the right choice to study illustration and creative writing–as my family has always reminded me how I deserve to love what I do. I’m forever grateful for them.

Website: https://www.schroederillustration.com

Instagram: @berdfruit

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-schroederv