Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anami Hayes. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anami , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

During my time in art school, (SCAD) I was taught how to draw forms, shapes, values, learning to animate to design, all of the above. However, even though all the resources and “skills” were there, the best way to learn was from the people surrounding me. My friends taught me the biggest lesson in art which is to stop focusing on the logistics of everything. Thinking about “How do I make this character look “exactly” like this?”, “How can I animate better?” or for many its “How can I make money as an artist?”

My fixation on improving skill-based rather than doing was holding me back. For example, I knew I wasn’t going to be the best in art school, so I decided to learn multiple things and it took a while but finding that connection between each, allowed me to be better at art and improve. There is a quote by Miyamoto Musashi in the “Book of Five Rings” that says “Once you understand the way broadly, you can see it in all things”

How i learned to do what i do was to see art in all things, shape language/ silhouette in animation helped me to be a better model. Understanding color at it basics helped me to be a better painter and visual artist, filmmaker etc. The best skill which is most essential in any form is to stop focusing on the logistics, your skills and start seeing how you can broaden your horizon and use it in every way. Only obstacle holding you back is yourself truly.

I remember being in college and there were so many students who went in with a mindset of being the best student, but not the best artist. What I mean by that is people were focused on executing these projects at the best of their ability which is fair, however it was fixed in only one area where they struggled to find joy in it or couldn’t do other projects outside of their major because they didn’t see it outside of what “they did”. Therefore when they graduated, most of the time they were burnt out, loss motivation to do any art, didn’t pursue a career in art or simply went into a different field. No shame because art is a strenuous task. If it is in your soul to create, see it as way to connect with everything. You can be a musician and be a great painter. If you want to be a better filmmaker, study visual art. Want to be a better animator, learn acting and modeling. Even if you work in a restaurant, there is art. Once you broaden your perspective, you can achieve anything.

Anami , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Anami Hayes, a 2D Animator, Visual Artist & Model, I work with many different artists, filmmakers, musicians and brands turning their vision into a reality. Currently based in Atlanta, and a SCAD alumni, over the past few years I have been freelancing in visual arts, but having the privilege in developing my own upcoming animated tv show with Eugene Lee Yang most known for “Buzzfeed”.

My art has been featured in Vogue London 4th Edition, Artist Forum ATL, collaborated with Lotus Rosery and for more local Atlanta art exhibits. Being blessed to have worked on many animation short films. modeling for New York featured in The Vanilla Issue Magazine, Untitled Nine and for local fashion designers.

Although I have much to share, but my relationship with my art and my spiritual life is deeply important. I offer not only art services but any type of art advice or life, I am here for. It is important to grow as a community.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Almost 2 years ago, it was my senior year of college about to graduate soon and I remember sitting, almost discouraged trying to figure out what I really wanted to do, what studio to apply for etc. Then i was on the phone with my mom and she said “Why not do a movie?” based off of these videos I would take with my durag on encourage people. At first I was like how in the world?? Literally insane. But it sparked something in me, that said “well why not?” I started developing a much clearer idea, reached out to some professors and over the few months I created a fully fleshed out story.

However there were many bumps in the road, developing art, getting the character designs down then finally investing into doing a concept animation trailer. There was an Animation Festival that SCAD offered which didnt come until a few months later that I wanted to be apart of. Reached out to my professor to discuss how to be apart of it there was silence, from January until April was when he approved out trailer. During that time of silence was nerve-wrecking, so many ideas, reaching out to people. Until one day I was out and unexpectedly I ran into Eugene Lee Yang and we started talking. He wanted to be apart of the show, turned out in my favor.

Then we didnt receive notice that we were going to be apart of the Festival until the end of May. It wasn’t until September when we a “mock” pitch meeting to Hulu and Netflix executives, they loved our idea but still had to make a few tweaks in the details of the story.

It was discouraging. We waited so long for that to occur but still had more to go. But it turned out to be the best thing because we went back to the basics and it came out better than ever. Now we are looking forward to dropping the official mini pilot in 2023.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Although I have had much success in art and still in someways I do, extremely grateful for. While I was living in Atlanta, my sister had totaled my mothers car and I decided to drop what I was doing and go back to my hometown in Virginia. It was only for a short amount of time to help my family, but a month turned into the rest of the year. At first I felt so anxious and almost manic because I felt like I was missing opportunities and when a new gallery popped up or a moment I can show my art I took every chance to go back to Atlanta for a day or so just to showcase my art.

But it wasn’t right, I could feel it in my spirit telling me to stop going back and forth, to simply be patient. I started working at Olive Garden, focused on developing a more stable life, in all forms, spiritually, emotionally, and physically. When I started to focus on my life and health was when I started to see the abundance. I inherently felt as if I had to take action at every chance I could get, but it didn’t serve me instead I did what I could do and leave the rest behind me.

Now I after half a year, i am better than I was before and it brought me back to exactly where I needed to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.anamihayes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_illuminami/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anamihayes/