030 - Anna Matevosian
In the latest episode of “The 13th Hour,” we meet Anna Matevosyan, an illustrator and artist whose work bridges graphic design and expressive hand-drawn storytelling. With a style that’s playful, personal, and full of energy, Anna transforms everyday ideas into visuals that connect on an emotional level — bringing bold colour, humour, and humanity to everything she touches.
Influenced by Basquiat, Haring, and Shrigley, Anna’s process is intuitive and rooted in feeling — often sparked by music, memory, or quick sketches that grow into bold, colourful pieces. Her art is shaped by curiosity, humour, and a desire to tell stories that resonate. From fan tattoos to poster auctions and dream projects with New York studios, Anna’s journey is one of creative joy and connection.
1 - At 13AM, we aim to celebrate and showcase a broad range of creative roles, disciplines and skillsets. How would you describe yourself and your role within the creative world to those unfamiliar with your work?
I’m an illustrator and artist who mixes drawing and design to create unique, expressive visuals. I like to tell stories through my work and bring ideas to life in a way that feels personal and engaging. Basically, I turn concepts into art that connects with people.
2 - Another aspect that sets 13AM apart is our commitment to diversity and representation among our artists. Could you share a bit about your background and where you call home?
Since I was little, I’ve always been painting. It’s the one thing I’ve always known I’d do in life. Whenever someone asks me what else I’d do if I weren’t an artist, I honestly can’t imagine anything else — my imagination just doesn’t go that far.
For me, home isn’t just a place — it’s the feeling I get when I’m listening to music, looking at other artists’ work, and finally creating my own. That space of inspiration and making art is where I truly feel at home.
3 - How would you define your creative style? Has it evolved or undergone any changes over time?
My artistic style is a mix of hand-drawn, expressive illustration and graphic design. It’s playful but thoughtful, with a focus on storytelling through visuals. Over time, my style has grown more confident and refined, but I’ve kept that personal, imperfect touch that makes my work feel alive.
4 - Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you transform an idea into a tangible piece of work?
I start by finding inspiration, like music or other art. Then I make quick sketches to try out ideas. Once I find something I like, I clean it up and add color on the computer. I like to keep it natural and go with the flow as I work. Sometimes I just listen to a song or lyrics, and it clicks — I instantly know what I want to draw.
5 - In terms of inspiration, where do you go to find this? Who were your main influencers and inspirations as you were growing up?
Growing up, some of my biggest influences were Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and David Shrigley. I love Basquiat and Haring for their raw, expressive style, and Shrigley’s sarcastic humor always cracks me up — his work is just amazing. Keith Haring is my all-time favorite, and I actually have one of his original sketches as a tattoo — a doodle of a person carrying a heart.
6 - What advice would you offer aspiring creatives looking to establish themselves in the industry?
Don’t try to copy others — trust your own feelings and let them come through on the canvas. That’s what makes your work truly unique and meaningful.
7 - Creative roadblocks affect many individuals in our field. How do you unwind and revitalize your creative energy? Are there any hobbies or passions you pursue outside of your work?
When I hit a creative block, I like to unwind by doing a lot of different things — traveling, pottery, tennis, listening to music, watching movies, and even home renovation (haha). Trying new hobbies and changing my environment helps me recharge and get inspired again.
8 - Reflecting on your career, could you share a standout project or collaboration that you consider a highlight? How did the opportunity come about?
One standout project was a local bread bakery branding I created just for my portfolio. Surprisingly, some people in Varese, Italy, loved it so much they wanted to use it for a real bakery. That opportunity changed everything for me and opened up new possibilities in my career.
9 - Can you provide a little insight into your current projects and any upcoming plans you have in the pipeline? Is there anything we should be looking out for in the not too distant future?
Right now, I’m working on projects with international clients from places like Italy, Qatar, the Philippines, Turkey, Estonia, Russia, Spain, Kuwait, the USA, Argentina, Dubai, Canada, India, Australia, and Korea — lots of cool work with amazing people. But my biggest goal is opening my own studio, and I’m working on merch and visual assets, so there’s a lot to be excited about!
10 - What has your experience been like collaborating with 13AM thus far, and what motivated you to join forces with us?
Being part of 13AM feels really special — it’s a great way to share my art and represent my country, especially in a project that celebrates diverse creatives. It makes me happy to connect with new people and have my work seen in different cities and by new audiences. That’s what motivated me to join.
11 - Looking ahead, what would be your dream project or client to tackle in the future?
I’d be really happy to one day show my art in a famous gallery, especially in New York, or work with New York art studios on merch and posters — that would be amazing. But honestly, I was already really happy when my poster art sold twice at an auction at Arizona Art University.
12 - To conclude on a lighter note, imagine hosting a dinner party where you could invite four individuals, living or deceased, who would they be and why?
That would definitely be Keith Haring, since I’m a huge fan of his work; Quentin Tarantino because his movies are true art and I never get bored watching them; Thom Yorke from Radiohead — the best band everrr, such a brilliant and emotional artist — and Jean-Michel Basquiat. I’d love to have a burger with them all, then paint all those ideas with Basquiat and Keith while being inspired by Thom’s music and Quentin’s creativity.
13 - If you were granted the power of time travel, which historical event would you choose to witness firsthand, and what intrigues you about it?
If I could time travel, I’d choose to witness Queen’s performance at Live Aid in 1985. Their 20-minute set is considered one of the greatest live performances ever, with Freddie Mercury’s amazing energy and connection with the crowd. It was a powerful, unforgettable moment in music history that I’d love to experience firsthand.
