The Artist

Hi, I'm Anna.

I live in Aotearoa New Zealand with my pet bunny, Tofu. You might already know him — he's about 10,000 times more famous than I'll every be!

I've been drawing, painting, and creating for as long as I can remember.

My town was pretty small, so when I outgrew the kids' community class, I joined the adult community art classes. Shout out to all the older women who encouraged me and looked after me in that space as an anxious young girl.

Eventually, I ended up at one of the top Fine Arts Universities in Aotearoa. Looking back it is clear now that I was suffering from depression and anxiety and didn't know it at the time, I ended up never completing that degree and felt as if this was my own failing. 

After that experience I spent nearly 9 years never picking up a pencil or brush. By 2021 life had caught up to me after years of chronic illness that had been ignored by doctors, and a lack of support or understanding for mental health. I had reached a point of often being unable to speak. It was then that I painted a lil Sad Sushi, it was a way to communicate when I had no words and from that moment my life slowly took on a different trajectory.

Since then, I've painted murals internationally, had my illustrations and designs used on products sent around the world, and continued to create just for myself. My Sad Sushi illustrated book was created over 4 years, each illustration was a form of healing for me. It was never for commercial gain, there was no deadline to produce this artwork as a product.

In my eyes the Sad Sushi illustrated book is not only a childrens book. It is a collection of important art that communicates deep emotions in an approachable and comforting way.

Now, I want to share it all with you.

Anna x

 

Sad Sushi

I started drawing Sad Sushi because I was depressed, burnt out and chronically unwell. There were no words left in me to explain what was happening and there was no support available. 

Sad Sushi helped me and then Sad Sushi started to reach out to others too.

I shared Sad Sushi online and thousands of people felt connected. They found humour, sadness and delight in my illustrations. 

Since then, Sad Sushi has turned into an entire world.

 

Other Work; Tofu's World

My sweet and a little idiotic bunny Tofu is beloved by millions of people online around the world.

Tofu's origin story begins with me adopting him from the SPCA as a companion for my bunny Miffy. He was found in an park in Auckland by two fisheries officers, who kindly took the effort to catch him and take him to receive help as he was starving. They named him Moby Dick as he was their great white whale. I named him Tofu because he was a little wobbly after getting his weight back up and white. 

My beloved and cheeky Miffy who tried to greet and get pats from every courier that came to our door passed away suddenly in 2021. Her sudden loss was difficult. When a prey animal bonds with you and gives you their unconditional trust it is a very special thing. Tofu also lost his bonded bun that day. 

This is why you will find the character Miso in Tofu's World. (I'd def get sued using her actual name) But Tofu and Miso are the perfect pair.

Their story is currently in draft form and follows themes of grief, death and companionship. The illustrations to match are still a work in progress as I explore the right style for them.