The Art of Reinvention - An Interview with Dawud Anyabwile

The Art of Reinvention
An Interview with Dawud Anyabwile

Dawud Anyabwile is an Emmy Award-winning illustrator and animation director with over 30 years of experience in comics, animation, and film. Known for his storytelling and signature style, Dawud is now stepping into a new chapter—fine art. With a goal of seeing his originals and prints in homes and galleries around the world, he’s embracing this transition with the same passion that fueled his comics and animation career. 

1. Dawud, you’ve had an incredible career in comics and animation. What inspired you to pursue fine art more seriously now?
I’ve always wanted to explore fine art, but my passion for creating comics and animation took the lead for many years. That world is fast-paced, rooted in production deadlines, and often centered on storytelling through someone else’s lens. But I’ve been longing to create for myself—for expression, not production. I studied fine art in high school, so drawing, painting, and figure work were foundational. Now feels like the right time to return to that space and explore what’s been waiting to emerge.

2. Was there a turning point that pushed you in this direction?
Yes—finishing my work as a director on the animated series IYANU marked a shift. I realized I had poured so much energy into animation that I needed to reconnect with a different side of myself. I started noticing the pull toward painting again—traditional materials like oils and pencil, but also digital. I don’t feel boxed into one medium. I’m letting myself explore whatever calls me creatively.

3. Has your background in storytelling influenced your fine art approach?
Absolutely. Storytelling is in my DNA, so even if my fine art isn’t narrative in the traditional sense, that instinct still shows up. I try not to force it—I let the emotion or intention behind a piece guide the style.

4. What challenges have you faced in this transition?
Mentally, it felt like starting over—visiting galleries, studying masterworks, and thinking differently about what art means outside of commercial production. It’s been arefreshingexperience.

5. How would you compare the fine art world to comics and animation?
I’m still learning, but there’s definitely a different rhythm. In comics and animation, the focus is often on the IP or the final product. In fine art, the artist’s personal vision—and even their persona—can be central to how the work is received. I’ve had to think more about my identity as an artist, not just the work I create.

6. Are audiences or collectors responding to your work differently in this new space?
It’s early, but I’m starting to see interest. People are curious about this new side of my work. Ask me again in a year—I think I’ll have more insight.

7. Are there any artists or movements that have inspired you during this shift?
I’ve always admired a wide range of artists—from classical painters to comic legends. I don’t always know names; I just collect work that moves me. Some pieces hit emotionally, and that’s what I respond to, regardless of style or genre.

8. How do you navigate between narrative-driven work and the more abstract nature of fine art?
Right now, I’m not creating abstract work yet—but I plan to. So there’s no balance to manage yet. When I’m ready to explore that space, I’ll let it evolve naturally.

9. What steps have you taken to enter the fine art market?
I started by sharing new black-and-white print series online and offering them for sale through my website. It felt like going back to day one—selling your first piece again. I’ll also be exhibiting in June at For the Love of Art at Trillith Studios in Fayetteville, GA. It’s exciting and unknown territory, and that’s what makes it meaningful.

10. What advice would you give to other artists transitioning from commercial to fine art?
Don’t worry about what you don’t know. Don’t wait until you’re “ready.” Start where you are. Follow what excites you and let that lead the way. You’re not too late. You don’t have to fit in. Make work you believe in, share it, and the rest will unfold as you go.

If you’d like to purchase one of Dawud’s new canvas decor prints, visit www.anyabwile.com. You can also meet him in person at For the Love of Art, a two-day exhibition this June at Trillith Guest House in Fayetteville, GA. www.artistloftintl.com