Today we’d like to introduce you to Anji Ray.
Hi Anji, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Well, where do I start? For years, I used to struggle with the question of where I’m from. Because technically, I am a citizen of the world. But if you are looking for facts, this is the rundown. I’m a military brat in the very literal sense. I was born in Augusta, Georgia, but my roots begin in Panama Central America, which is where my parents are from. My dad joined the Army and shortly thereafter married my mother and they began a family (I have one brother and one sister, and am the oldest). I like to say that I was flying before I took my first step. I’ve lived all over the world, but the majority of my upbringing was between Germany and Panama. In that, I believe that my exposure to different cultures has contributed to the way in which I view the world and the people in it.
When I’m asked, “What do you do?”, well, that’s another question that I struggled with until, I would say, the last few years. I used to run down the list: I’m a poet, screenwriter, actor, casting assistant, director, photographer, real estate broker and agent, a techie, influencer and the last title that I added in 2021, an abstract artist. That’s a mouthful right? I know, Lol. Now, I just button all of that up and either say, “I’m a multi-hyphenate” or “I’m a creative”.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Has getting to where I’m at been a smooth road? Absolutely not! I struggled so badly when my father left the military. I was suddenly thrown into civilian life the last two years of high school and had to assimilate quickly. I won’t lie, it was extremely hard on me. Along the way, I experienced a lot of growing pains and subsequently made a lot of mistakes. It took over a decade for me to get back on my feet and into a position where if you look at me, you couldn’t tell that I’ve been through the ringer.
As an actor and writer, I’ve seen a lot of my counterparts earn opportunities that I was simply not afforded. Not because I wasn’t as classically trained, because I am, or because of the lack of talent, because that is there or even because a lack of networking, or any of that. In fact, for many years I used to wonder why haven’t I gotten my “big break”? I would ask God all the time, what am I doing wrong? And you know what He said? He told me to persevere. That’s it. Remain focused. There was so much I had learned along the way, but so much more that I needed to learn about myself.
In 2021, I earned my Associates in Applied Science as a Computer Programmer and shortly thereafter started an amazing job that I am still blessed with. Since 2021, I have earned my Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts, become an Associate Real Estate Broker in Georgia and a Real Estate Agent in California and last year, earned my Masters of Science in Commercial Real Estate. However, at the heart of it all, I am still a creative and felt very restricted because I wasn’t working 100% in the arts. However, in 2021 I experienced a paradigm shift in the way that I thought.
I used to walk past the mirror and not really see myself. I mean, I would see myself, but chose to ignore the reflection that was truly staring back at me. That is until one day, I stared at a picture of myself and saw all of me. The real me. For real. I was obese. I had let myself go and blamed it on my bad luck. If I’m honest, I think it was between the extreme distress that I was in, depression, along with a ton of no’s. Audition after audition. Submission after submission. All no’s. They say it takes 100 no’s to get to 1 yes. I’d say, I’ve received about 50 or so. So, I believe that combined with where my life was at financially and my dreams of being a creative was the perfect storm for my weight gain.
At any rate, I decided to change my mindset. I had landed this amazing job with equally amazing benefits and was ready to change. So, I started getting up at 3:15 am daily and hitting the gym, 6 days a week. I also changed my eating habits. Disciplining myself in this manner was very new to me, because in the past my track record was always that I would start and never finish. This time I vowed it would be different and it was. To date, I have lost over 100 lbs! To supplement my change, I started telling myself that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
I’ve always had a deep appreciation for visual art. I mean deep. I connected with it in a way that only another artist would understand. However, I never thought I could create something visual. I am a writer. I have a way with words. I am an actor, I have a way with expression, however, a painter? I told myself I couldn’t, wouldn’t dare insult the craft at trying something in which I had no formal training. I couldn’t. Or could I?
Like I said, in 2021, my mind shifted. I told myself, I’m going to buy some canvases, brushes and paint and I’m going to create something and I’m not showing it to a soul. And I did that for 2 years. I painted the colors and strokes that came to my mind’s eye. And I was terrified to show anyone. But then, one day, I painted something that I wanted to show and I sent my friend a DM on Instagram of the painting. I dressed it up in a casual way and was like, “Hey, if you know anyone who wants to buy some art, I’m selling this piece, it’s called #Rhythm “. She ended up buying it. And that was my validation that maybe, just maybe, this art thing was for real. Maybe I was actually an abstract artist.
However, after the painting was gone, I felt a severe separation anxiety that was just awful. It was like, a child was ripped from my womb. I don’t have any children, but if I were to imagine what it would feel to have them, I would have to imagine it’s like losing one of my paintings. I think I’m almost close to having 100 paintings or so. Each time I finish a piece, I feel like it is a part of me evolving and being introduced into the world. But an introduction with no audience, is no introduction at all. So, in 2023, I decided to apply to a group exhibition. There was no requirement or pressure to sell my piece and I felt ready. I had just buried my father and in his death, the spirit to share my art with the world was birthed. The responses I received from that exhibit provided me with the confidence to continue to show my work. I think I have been accepted to every exhibition that I’ve applied to with the exception of perhaps 2 or 3.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I suppose I just segued into this, but I have been focusing heavily since 2021 on abstract art and screenwriting. Prior to my father passing away, I was able to share my art with him. He loved it. I was also able to share with him two scripts that I wrote. One is a true story based on a military disaster and originates from a trip he took us on to Italy when I was about 12 years old and the other is a biopic of a boxing champion.
When my dad died in 2023, I took a solo trip to Italy to follow my story, because up until then, I had only my memories to go off of, and the facts of the story. Having done this brought me a new perspective on certain elements within my script. So, I am currently in the midst of going into a third draft for that one. The name of that script is “Reckless Below Radar”.
My second script derives from Panama, and for that I took a trip to Panama to follow that story as well. The name of that script is, “Within & Without”.
In fact, I’ve taken several trips to Panama. Not only for my script, but for my art as well. I am currently working on an abstract series that is influenced by the Mola, a piece of clothing that is created by the indigenous Guna women of Panama.
I would say that what I am most proud of is that I transformed my body through a discipline that also grew me as a creative. Ever since I’ve lost the weight and began my journey as an abstract artist, I’ve received almost all yes’s to my painting submissions. I have also submitted my one of my scripts to The Black List for evaluation and received a favorable review, so I know exactly what I need to work on in the next draft to flush it out.
Over these past few years, I think a lot of people may perceive me as a socialite to an extent. You know when you know someone is special, but you just don’t know what exactly makes them so special? I think that’s me. I’m a mystery to a lot of people but I am well connected to many. Actually, that’s it! I’m a Connector! That is one of my specialties. I love connecting people to each other, because at the end of the day, I love people!
I think what sets me apart from others is that once I have put my mind to do something, it gets done. I will not stop until I’ve achieved whatever it is that I’m focused on. Period. While this is mostly a good thing, I have had to learn to balance it and let some things not worth pursuing go. In everything, balance is truly key.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Of course! A piece of advice I have is that never tell yourself that you can not do something that you never tried to do! I told myself for years that I couldn’t paint. It wasn’t that I couldn’t it was that I was terrified to. And there’s the rub. I heard a sermon once and the pastor said that the thing that terrifies you the most, is probably the very thing you need to pursue.
Another piece of advice that I would give to the screenwriter, is to read scripts. I mean, a ton of them too. Especially before you begin to write one. I did that with both of my features. But when I wrote my first screenplay, I just regurgitated my story into Final Draft. It was awful. LOL. However, I got it out my system and then began the real work. In reading scripts, you will discover different writing styles and if you like something that a writer has done, keep a journal or a note on that which caught your attention and allow it to inform your story.
Also, keep a running note of fractured thoughts and conversations. If someone says a word you like, write it down, the same is true of any thoughts that come to mind. In addition to the ton of research I did to create my worlds, I brainstormed for about 2 months prior about scenes, conversations, characters, etc. that would go into my story. What many people do not tell you is that oftentimes you begin writing your story without writing at all!
One thing I wish I knew when I was starting out is to be open to change along your creative journey. You may have in mind one thing that you dream of doing, but God will almost always have another plan for you. I never in my life imagined myself as an abstract painter, but here I am.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://anjirayproductions.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anjiray/ and https://www.instagram.com/anjirayart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anjirayproductions
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjiray/
- Twitter: https://x.com/anjiray
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anjirayproductions
- Yelp: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Profile/anjiray
- soundcloud: imdb.me/anjiray
- Other: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/e2iq7JURp0BDF
Image Credits
Georgia Entertainment Photo (Headshot (Black, White and Pink Photo and Black/White Mid-shot photo with backdrops): Phil Jackson of Shootworks Meida Services All Other Photos Credits: Anji Ray
