Interview
Annie Mays
Annie is a 33 year old mother from Georgia with an endless desire to create. She is a published poet, photographer, and artist. She doesn't do anything half way.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I've been making art as long as I can remember. I was a teenager when I found photography, and realized I had a voice and a vision for it. I've had a really difficult life. I've suffered a lot, and photography always served as a medium to try and explain what was in my heart. It was the only way I could say what I carried inside of me. My style eventually evolved into this almost surrealist self-portraiture. I almost always use myself as the subject, because my photos and the messages I'm trying to send are very personal and close to my heart. I never really made art with the idea that it was for consumption, I just had some shit to say. But my photos really started to resonate with people. It's been amazing forming those connections and knowing that I'm not in this alone.”
What inspires you?
“Music inspires me a lot. Sometimes I'll hear a particular lyrics and it'll hit my heart like a truck and resonate with me about something I'm going through and I know I have to make a photo about it. I'm also inspired by people who live as their raw, authentic selves. That courage and boldness inspires me to keep photographing to tell my own story through my work.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I feel like I have two personalities and two distinct art styles because of it. One is cutesy and soft, think Sanrio or Sailor Moon, and that translates to these really soft and dreamy feeling photographs. The other is dark and jagged around the edges, so I wind up with these kind of jarring photos with sexual or violent undertones. I try to embrace all sides of myself and not limit myself or my photography to one particular "style." I just do what's in my heart at that moment.”
How would you describe your work?
“Some good keywords to describe my work would be: Raw, surreal, deeply intimate, emotional, psychological, thought-provoking. My images always tell a story, they always convey what's on my heart at the time, so they're always very raw and real and emotional but there's also these other-worldly or surrealist elements to it. A bending of reality at times. There's also a lot of contrast across my portfolio of like I said, these sort of soft and dreamy types of photos and then these jarring dark images.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I've recently drawn a lot of inspiration from musical artists like Halsey, Jakey, and Kesha. I've always been drawn to Claude Monet and his work. I think the soft, almost dream like quality of his paintings has definitely inspired some of my work. There's an embroidery artist, Kathrin Marchenko, who does these really surreal and emotive pieces and they've also been an inspiration to me. I guess I draw a little inspiration from all different types of mediums. I just have such a respect for artists who put themselves out there and it inspires me to do the same.”
“My images always tell a story, they always convey what's on my heart at the time, so they're always very raw and real and emotional but there's also these other-worldly or surrealist elements to it.”
What is your creative process like?
“I'm such a squirrel when it comes to my creative process. Sometimes, I'll be minding my business and suddenly something will erupt from my heart and I'll have to drop everything and set up my camera and try to capture it. Or sometimes I'll have an idea that kind of rattles around in my brain for a while and very suddenly everything will click together in my mind and I have to get it right then and there. It's easier because I am my own subject, and I know exactly what I'm trying to say, so I don't have to worry about directing a model or anything. I can just contort and twist and emote myself until I get it right and capture the feeling. So much of my work is this deeply intimate storytelling. I know exactly what I'm trying to say and capture when I go into a shoot. It's always very cathartic and rewarding to see the final product and have that feeling out and on the screen. It's even better when other people can identify and relate to what I'm trying to say in my work.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I think art is critical in society. I'm a huge proponent of bringing back art classes into public education. Art forces you to look inside yourself. It forces you to reflect. I think if everyone practiced and artistic medium of some kind, we'd all be a little more empathetic. Art forces you to be vulnerable, and I think we need more of that in society. I think we need more people telling their story in their own way. I think with the rise of social media, we're seeing more and more great artists on the scene, across all different mediums. The ability to instantly share your art and your soul with other people is so rewarding, and I think as technology continues to evolve we'll see more of that, and hopefully see more folks feeling implored to give art a shot.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I've unfortunately never had an exhibition but I have published 2 books of photography. The latest is Explorations of Self (Deluxe Edition). It's an expanded upon edition of my first book, 10 years after the original print. I'm really proud of it and how it all came together. It's a really good collection of some of my work. It was a really vulnerable thing for me to make. I really put my heart, body, and soul on display in the book, I didn't hold anything back. I make virtually no profit off of the book, I just wanted my art to be in peoples hands. I wanted people to see it and relate to it and feel something. So, I'm really proud to have it out there in the world.”
Instagram: @itsanniemays
Brush Bio: www.brush.bio/itsanniemays
