Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne McColl .
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
You’re at a conference, and off to the side of the stage, someone’s drawing—live—what the speaker is saying. Ideas are coming to life in real time, right before your eyes. It’s mesmerizing. You’re probably thinking, How do they even DO that?
Hi, I’m Anne McColl, founder of LiquidSketchStudio.com, a graphic recording boutique. At live events, I grab my markers and posterboard (or sometimes my iPad) and illustrate big ideas, complex conversations, and game-changing insights as they happen. The result? Ideas that are more shareable, memorable, and powerful.
Becoming a graphic recorder was my mid-career curveball. I started as (and still am) a branding copywriter, helping companies nail their messaging and connect with their audiences. Working alongside art directors and designers taught me how visuals and words amplify each other, so I’ve always thought of myself as a “visual writer.” Then, one day, I saw graphic recording pop up on Twitter and was hooked. When the iPad hit the scene, I started experimenting—graphic recording at the marketing and tech conferences I attended for fun. People noticed, I tweeted my work, and next thing I knew, companies were hiring me to capture their big ideas.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When your business is your craft—whether it’s live illustration, copywriting, or whatever your thing is—that’s the easy part. The real challenge? The other 50%: getting leads, closing sales, figuring out marketing, and not wanting to cry when it’s tax season. I learned the art of running a business at Hera Hub, a co-working space in San Diego. And my years as a copywriter and digital marketer gave me a head start when I officially launched my graphic recording business. And guess what? The first client to find me after I built my website was Google.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m in the business of visualizing lightbulb moments. One week, I’m at a conference, turning a speaker’s big ideas into something you can see. The next, I’m at a C-suite retreat, sketching out the next five years of their company’s vision. At the end of every project—whether it’s for a Fortune 500 giant, a university, or a scrappy nonprofit—it all boils down to the same thing: telling their story better. Because when people see their ideas clearly, they can act on them.
That’s what I do. I create clarity. Because in a busy, complicated world, clarity wins.
What does success mean to you?
My biggest success? Figuring out how to rock being a mom and a business owner without losing my mind—or missing the good stuff. When my kids were little, I built my work schedule around their lives, not the other way around. Those years fly by faster than you can say “school pickup,” and I’m so glad I made time to teach art at their school, chaperone field trips, and even rock the Girl Scout leader sash. No regrets, just gratitude for showing up where it mattered most.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.liquidsketchstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liquidsketchstudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annemccoll/
