Meet Aneesa Patel

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

Aneesa, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I think the main word that comes to mind is ‘potential’. Despite feeling periods of burn-out or art block like any other creative out there, I find a lot of joy and wonder in the untapped potential of anything that I, or anyone else for that matter, could make. That feeling of the potential to create something good or meaningful to someone is a huge motivator and keeps me going back to my creative tools and outlets rather than shying away from it. As someone who considers themselves a perfectionist, it really helps me to step back from that mindset when I tell myself that the potential in the act of creation matters a lot more than a perfect product!

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am a story and visual development artist for animation that loves to use the themes of empathy and healing in all of my personal projects. Putting an importance to teaching empathy & understanding between others is how people learn how to respect and embrace individual differences, but also cherish and celebrate unifying similarities. It is my mission to bring empathy, representation, and mindful/conscious conversations to any and all future projects.

Currently, my senior thesis short film, ‘Starborn’, is making rounds in the film festival circuit and is close to ready for a public launch on YouTube.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I’ve wanted to be an artist my entire life, but getting the support took a lot of time and effort, so looking back I think what helped me the most was a willingness to take risks, being self-disciplined, and just being kind.

Taking risks helped me bet on myself. It’s an act of believing in yourself and accepting that everything may not work out how you hoped, but it’s better to try than not try at all. Having this quality isn’t always innate, and it definitely wasn’t for me but it helped taking risks in small bites. Sometimes it can look as simple as, “I will finish this project and send it into this competition”, or, “Let me reach out to someone I look up to and ask them questions”. The biggest risk as an artist is putting yourself out there and I am still deterred by the thought of getting no responses, but remembering your journey is yours and it takes the risk of showing people who you are to reap the rewards.

Having self-discipline in this line of work is a must. As artists and creatives we all have highs and lows when it comes to inspiration and I am a huge advocate for artists taking breaks and enjoying other things outside of their craft, but in order to become better and not stay stagnant in your skills you must be consistent enough. This helps on days I don’t have the energy to do a big piece or further a big personal project. I’ll go back to the fundamentals and do some studies, draw from life, or aimlessly doodle whatever comes to mind. Having the discipline to grow even when staying complacent is tempting helps with your own artistic self-confidence down the line!

The biggest one I think, though, is being kind and earnest, especially with the community of people you find yourself in. Especially while I was in school, I saw the difference it made being kind and understanding versus being petty and dismissive. Artists react to positivity and comradery, especially within the industry I want to work in since projects are incredibly collaborative. People like it when you can get along with them and a good relationship brings with it incredibly powerful creative energy that boosts any projects that you help each other with. The biggest gift truly is the creative friends you make along the way and just having a welcoming attitude has brought me the most talented and amazing people in my life to grow alongside!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Right now the animation industry is in an incredibly tough spot alongside the current job market and it would be wrong of me to overlook that, the biggest obstacle right now for me is finding my foot in the door. Many other green artists like myself who are just starting out our professional careers are eager, already so talented, and just looking to be given a chance. Finding willing mentors is very hard, those with more experience are also struggling, and the entire world outside of just the creative industry feels like its falling apart.

Right now it’s not something I can control and I have to remind myself that I am perfectly capable, skilled, and just as good a candidate as anyone else and whether I can land something or not is not tied to my self worth. Instead, I’m focusing on what I can control, and that is what I create and finding joy in any facet of my life possible. It’s been important for me to realize why I create and finding no shame in doing something else in the meantime until I get the golden opportunity I’ve been working so hard towards.

To anyone in my position, I see you and I believe in us!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aneesapatel.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sevenworlds_/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneesa-patel-b1b93b260
• Twitter: https://x.com/sevenworlds_