Today we’d like to introduce you to Lekisha Young.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Lekisha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My name is Lekisha Young. I am 27 Years old, from Swainsboro, Georgia, a small town in the South-Eastern part of the state. I love all things art and design. I am a business owner, assistant tennis coach at Fort Valley State University, and a marketing specialist in Macon, Georgia.
My career as an artist began in 2011. During this time, I attended Fort Valley State University, seeking my degree in Biology. I knew that I had a passion for art and science. However, I chose to pursue a degree in biology because not many people believed you could make a career out of the field of art. As time progressed that year, I felt myself drawn more towards the arts. During my time as a percussionist in the Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band, I met fellow musicians that were art majors. Their work amazed me. I showed them a few of my sketches and they introduced me to the faculty and staff in the art department. One professor in particular, Mr. Ricky Calloway, a nationally known artist, looked at my work and told me to give the major a chance. I instantly felt at home. I prayed and called my mom. She was very supportive in my decision to change my major and the next day, I went to see my advisor.
In April of 2015, I hosted my first solo art exhibition, which was a graduation requirement. I sold my first piece during this show. I also had an art piece published in a local magazine known as Reality Check magazine. This gave me the motivation to continue to further my education and enhance my skillsets in this field. In May, I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Design with a concentration in Illustration. From there, I attended Full Sail University and obtained my Master of Fine Arts Degree in Media Design. Here I obtained my skills in web design, marketing, and advertisement. Post-graduation, I returned to my Alma Mater and became the youngest professor (23 at the time) at FVSU as an Adjunct Professor of Art. I have to say. It was very interesting teaching students that were older than myself in most cases. However, I enjoyed every minute of it. Once this contract ended in 2017, I was presented with the opportunity to become a part of the Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band Staff as their media specialist. I took on the challenge of rebranding the band. To this day, I attribute the enhancement of my photography and videography skills to Director of Bands Jonathan Thompson. Through this opportunity, my work has been exposed to thousands of individuals across the U.S and internationally. It also prompted the birth of my business Anatomic Productions.
In 2017, I also met Mr. David Little and Mrs. Teresa Little of Rightouch Family Development. They were searching for someone to assist with filming their youth group Destined for Greatness as well as someone to do graphics and website development. With this talented group of young people, I have filmed their performances with phenomenal artists such as world-renowned singer and actress Mrs. Pattie LaBelle, world-renowned gospel artists John P. Kee, and Kierra Sheard. During this time, I also expanded my skill set to include filming and writing for commercial and promotional videos. Mr. Steven Little, a prominent screenwriter, afforded me my first opportunity in production and advertisement of a live-action play. From all of this, my interest in film and screenwriting grew and promoted me to go back to school. I attended Full Sail University and graduated in 2018 with my Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing as a Salutatorian of my class.
After graduating with this degree, I ran into a very challenging time in my life. It was during this time that I ran into multiple health challenges, which forced me to have multiple operations. Due to this, I was unable to work and very close to losing everything I had. However, one thing I had that I knew I could not lose was my faith. I prayed and continued to keep pushing forward. It was very difficult. In August 2019, post-recovery my second operation at the time, I was blessed with the opportunity to complete my first mural in the city of Macon, GA. I called it “Through the Storm.” It was my way of motivating our community and myself to continue to push through the storms of life. If you have faith and continue forward with God, you will reach the sunshine again.
I am thankful that God blessed me with the gift to create art through various mediums. Many may say I am just a jack of all trades. However, I like to say that I am blessed with the favor and many gifts from God. Such is the foundation of my Anatomic Productions. This business was created with the goal of making your creative visions, dreams, and aspirations come true.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In 2018, I ran into a very challenging time in my life. It was during this time that I ran into multiple health challenges, which forced me to have multiple operations. Due to this, I was unable to work and very close to losing everything I had. However, one thing I had that I knew I could not lose was my faith. I prayed and continued to keep pushing forward. It was very difficult. In August 2019, post-recovery my second operation at the time, I was blessed with the opportunity to complete my first mural in the city of Macon, GA. I called it “Through the Storm.” It was my way of motivating our community and myself to continue to push through the storms of life. If you have faith and continue forward with God, you will reach the sunshine again. It was tough to get back in the swing of things, but I knew it was something I have to do. Not using my gifts was like letting God down. I refused to do that. So, I picked the pencil and brushed back up and began creating again.
Please tell us about Anatomic Productions.
Anatomic Productions was created as a one-stop-shop for creativity. If you’re in need of advertisement for your new business, rebranding of your current business, looking to produce a movie, a play, or just want some new artwork for you or a relative, Anatomic Productions is here for you. Anatomic Productions is known for custom artwork, graphics, advertisements, and video productions.
I am mostly proud of the creative diversity that my company has to offer. Such has provided me with opportunities that I never thought I would be able to do at such at my age.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have to say my family is my biggest support group. My mom, Dorothy Young and my brothers Deric and Anthony Williams, always pushed me to never quit no matter what. Even with the transition of majors, they never gave up on me. My grandmother, Mrs. Leneise Davis, is always providing wisdom that keeps me going. My cousins and aunts have always taught me to write my goals down and do whatever it takes to reach them. My significant other, Mr. Detron Hammond, also plays a major role in motivating me to seek more out of life, especially those things that seem out of reach. He is my constant reminder that with God, nothing is impossible.
I also have to thank Mr. Ricky Calloway, a professor and nationally known artist in the Visual and Performing Arts department at Fort Valley State University. He never accepted anything but the best and always gave us guidance on how to prepare for the real world as an artist. He was definitely an inspiration in the development of my artistic career.
To this day, I attribute the enhancement of my photography and videography skills to Director of Bands Jonathan Thompson. In 2017, he presented me with the opportunity to become a part of the Fort Valley State University Blue Machine Marching Band Staff as their media specialist. I took on the challenge of rebranding the band. Through this opportunity, my work has been exposed to thousands of individuals across the U.S and internationally. It also prompted the birth of my business Anatomic Productions.
Mr. David Little and Mrs. Teresa Little of Rightouch Family Development also played a role in the development of my career. In 2017, they were searching for someone to assist with filming their youth group Destined for Greatness as well as someone to do graphics and website development. With this talented group of young people, I have filmed their performances with phenomenal artists such as world-renowned singer and actress Mrs. Pattie LaBelle, world-renowned gospel artists John P. Kee, and Kierra Sheard. During this time, I also expanded my skill set to include filming and writing for commercial and promotional videos. Mr. Steven Little, a prominent screenwriter, afforded me my first opportunity in production and advertisement of a live-action play.
Contact Info:
- Website: anatomicproductions.com
- Phone: 478-501-0185
- Email: anatomicproductions011@gmail.com
- Facebook: @anatomicproductions
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