Meet Anjali Vakil

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anjali Vakil and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anjali, how do you define success?
Growing up, various concepts of success are passed down to us from our parents and social circles, but as I’ve grown older I had to find my own definition of success. I think it’s a complicated question because being an artist can be extremely volatile, and this has definitely caused me to put my definition of success into question. Our family and friends mean well, but they are using the compass they’ve learned from their own lives and experiences, and it doesn’t always translate over smoothly into others’ lives.

After a few years of social media validation, chasing after an income bracket, or needing someone to tell me I’m “good enough”, it all just felt like I was spinning my wheels. These feelings would run out and I’d be left feeling so unfulfilled and frustrated. It put into question everything I thought being a “successful” artist was. But being forced to ask difficult questions can bring us a new understanding of ourselves, and I think the answer I’ve found for myself is “balance”. Being able to balance my values, passions, and stability in spite of what can at times be a very turbulent and unpredictable career path.

In practice, balance is a daily challenge: Do you accept work that doesn’t pay you what you believe your work is worth? Do you take work on the side which is draining and leaves less time for your passions? And when things go well, do you take on a workload that prevents you from having a stable work/life balance? I think the times that I’ve mastered myself and my choices line up with my values, I’ve felt the most fulfilled.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I mainly work in visual development art and background painting with a strong emphasis on color and light. Some of my past clientele includes Dreamworks Feature Animation, Netflix Animation, Warner Bros, and Google. I think my background in traditional media and figurative art plays a role in the way I approach my paintings and gives them a unique look which is more painterly and textural. I also love weaving my cultural heritage with my love for animation and games, it gives me a unique lens through which to tell stories from. Before animation I worked as a henna artist – henna is an ancient art form in which an all natural paste is applied intricately onto skin to create beautiful designs and patterns. I love incorporating figures and characters, motifs from my background in figurative art, into the designs. The biggest lesson I’ve learned along the way is that, inspiration can be anywhere, and it takes a keen eye to be able to resourcefully use the things you see around you to be able to grow as an artist! It’s something I try to practice every day. I guess the other lesson is that there’s never such thing as too much practice! 😉

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think the main place everyone wants to see is Santa Monica and Venice beach, I’d definitely give in and take them there first! But the truth is that LA is whatever you want it to be – it’s so big that everyone can find a bit of themselves here. If it’s an artsy friend I might take them to downtown LA to check out some galleries, or to that enormous painting at Forest Lawn Museum, and if it’s someone who loves nature, there’s beautiful places to hike around as well or even a casual stroll through Huntington Library. As I love food I’d take them for some KBBQ or maybe even some late night tacos after a great concert, or at the very least I’d take them to have some coffee at the newest hipster place in Echo Park!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have to dedicate this shoutout to my family, who have been there relentlessly to support me in a way that I believe they were never supported. As a first generation American South Asian, I know my parents must have had so much apprehension of the unknown, but they never let it show. Comparing the world they were raised in and the world I was raised in, are so entirely different. Nonetheless their open-mindedness, love and faith in me, means more than I can ever put into words.

Also, the communities in animation who give voices to those who are generally underrepresented in our industry. the SAVA collective, “Women in Animation”, and “Asians in Animation” as well as the artists and recruiters who lift others up – helping in any way they can. This industry can seem very exclusive, so when there’s people who welcome you with open arms, it’s a very special feeling. In the end we’re all artists who love the same thing, and there are these precious people along the way who offer their help, their time, or their resources selflessly and it brings a sense of community and warmth to this industry. We have to rely on each other in difficult times!

Website: https://www.anjalivakil.com

Instagram: @av.scribs / @anjali.henna

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anjalivakil/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@anjalihenna4283