illustrator monica ahanonu stands out with expressive pop art portraits

Loving the s**t out of pop artist Monica Ahanonu. A little Bauhaus, a little Warhol, Ahanonu create vector illustrations packed with personality, nostalgia, and pride. Ahanonu’s work honors black creatives, be they fashion designers, music legends, or cultural icons. These expressive portraits bring an extra dimension to each subject. It even leans towards fashion sketching, at times, as we see Ahanonu presents her own interpretation of designer pieces and stylist’s looks. Peep some of my favorite illustrations by Monica, below, and follow her on Instagram.

Necessary @traceeellisross piece ✨ original outfit styled by: @karlawelchstylist , wearing @rosie_assoulin dress #mahanonu #vectorillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on May 17, 2017 at 2:24pm PDT

TGIF y’all – piece based on photo from @afropunk feed. Original photo by Charlotte Rutherford, styled by Helena Tejedor, Hair by Alex Brownsell, makeup + creative direction by @isamayaffrench for @jalousemag #vectorillustration #mahanonu

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Mar 10, 2017 at 11:30am PST

Monday, mood – close up of my @willowsmith piece #mahanonu #vectorillustration #fashionillustration #willowsmith

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Aug 22, 2016 at 9:31am PDT

Sketch gone digital – inspired by large shapes/silhouettes in @delpozo / @josepfontc collections #mahanonu #vectorillustration #fashionillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Jul 20, 2016 at 3:41pm PDT

Tbt, close up of an old piece #mahanonu #vectorillustration #fashionillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Aug 18, 2016 at 3:38pm PDT

wcw goes to @simonebiles ✨ @usagym @teamusa #mahanonu #vectorillustration #design

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Aug 17, 2016 at 10:04am PDT

WEEKEND ✨ #mahanonu #vectorillustration #hbfit

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Dec 16, 2016 at 6:56pm PST

Wishing I could rewatch @queenofkatwemovie right now – Many congrats to @lupitanyongo , David Oyelowo, Madina Nalwanga and Mira Nair on their @naacpimageawards nominations!!!

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Dec 13, 2016 at 7:24pm PST

Tgif, flash back FriYAY to this old piece ✨#mahanonu #vectorillustration #fashionillustration #hartxhart

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Sep 2, 2016 at 10:32am PDT

Want these earrings and hairdo #mahanonu #vectorillustration #fashionillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Jul 23, 2016 at 6:47pm PDT

Eyeshadow goalz, piece based on photo by @nadineijewere , by: @samiagiobellina , by: @ammydrammeh , by: @mikmakkat , : @casseychanel #mahanonu #vectorillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Mar 28, 2017 at 12:45pm PDT

Part of larger @lupitanyongo piece…work in progress to finish this week #mahanonu #fashionillustration #vectorillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Jun 14, 2016 at 1:16pm PDT

MOOD, Monday …closeup of @maki.oh piece #mahanonu #fashionillustration #vectorillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on May 23, 2016 at 11:05am PDT

#ripprince

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Apr 22, 2016 at 1:22pm PDT

@saintrecords @saintheronshop @saintheron #mahanonu #vectorillustration #design

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on May 7, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

#gucciprefall16 @gucci #mahanonu #vectorillustration #design

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on May 12, 2016 at 6:14pm PDT

wcw, the fab & inspiring @elainewelteroth ✨💃🏾💪🏾#mahanonu #vectorillustration

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on May 24, 2017 at 7:37am PDT

wcw the wonderful @michaelacoel 🌼🍬🍭🍦🍬🍫🍭🍩🍪🍬🍭🍬 #mahanonu #vectorillustration @chewinggumnetflix

A post shared by MONICA AHANONU (@monicaahanonu) on Jun 7, 2017 at 6:36am PDT