With over 10 years of international experience, Anna Ryzhova is an illustrator and visual artist working across editorial, children’s illustration, educational formats, and public art.
Her practice merges academic draftsmanship with contemporary storytelling, often drawing from everyday life and the cultural environments she inhabits.
Originally of Russian origin, she is particularly interested in bilingual and educational formats that foster accessibility and cross-cultural understanding.
Anna currently resides in a small coastal town in Turkey, where she lives with her dog Kirpi — a former street pup — and cares for a group of local stray animals.
Awards & Recognition
- Cheltenham Illustration Awards (UK, 2015–2025): Winner (2024), Cover Feature (2022), Speaker (2025), “Emerging and Established” Award (2018), multiple annual exhibitions
- İzmir’e Renk Ol – Harmony with Differences (Turkey, 2023): Finalist; received monetary prize
- NomadHer – She Can Travel Anywhere (South Korea, 2023): 2nd Place; monetary award; featured in outdoor display campaign
- We Want Jazz (Poland, 2023): Finalist; work printed and exhibited
- British Council – I Study in the UK (Moscow, 2015): 1st Prize in national illustration competition
- Russian Academy of Arts (Moscow, 2010): Recipient of Gold Medal for excellence in visual arts
- “Next to Me” Solo Exhibition (Moscow, 2017): Makhlovka Art Studio
Education & Scholarships
- 2020 — British Higher School of Art & Design, Moscow
Postgraduate Illustration Programme (validated by University of Hertfordshire) - 2016 — Surikov Academy of Fine Arts, Moscow
Classical academic training in drawing and painting - 2015 — Universität der Künste (UdK), Berlin
Exchange programme in visual arts (nominated as sole representative from Surikov Academy)
Scholarships & Distinctions
- 2018, Moscow — Awarded competitive grant (first place) for two-year postgraduate study at BHSAD
- 2015, Berlin — Selected for UdK exchange as top candidate from Surikov Academy
Publications & Features
- 2025 — Guest speaker at Design Matters × Cheltenham Illustration Awards
Park Campus, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK - 2020 — Featured in official alumni profile by British Higher School of Art & Design (BHSAD)
Interview highlighting graduate success in illustration and design (published in Russian) - 2016 — Article in Shakespeare Magazine, Issue 07
Coverage of illustrated editions of “Richard II” and “Hamlet” as part of an international Shakespeare publishing feature
Artistic Practice
Editorial Illustration · Children’s Books · Character Design · Visual Storytelling
Sketchbook Practice · Animation Concepts · Educational Formats · Public Art
I specialize in editorial illustration, public art commissions, and visual storytelling across children’s media, educational formats, and cultural projects. I also take on selected design work — including character design, short animations, and branding for socially relevant initiatives. In my illustration, I aim to create bridges between languages, traditions, and visual idioms.
Languages & Tools
Languages: Russian (native), English (fluent), Turkish (intermediate spoken)
Tools: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Figma, Procreate
Contact / Representation
For commissions, exhibitions, or other opportunities,
please get in touch via avoirbanane@gmail.com.
- Behance: behance.net/avoirbanane
- Instagram: @avoirbanane
- Website: www.annaryzhova.com
Print