Imaj is more than the daughter of ‘80’s icon Phillip Michael Thomas of “Miami Vice” fame. The multifaceted country artist is a singer-songwriter, novelist and visual artist. She recently spoke with rolling out about her artistry, what inspires her and her latest project, Colorblind.
Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is it a combination of the two?
Inspiration always finds me when I’m not looking.
What led you to art in general and to your art forms in particular?
I imagine that creative light that naturally burns inside of the heart of a child is what initially leads one to eventually focus seriously on art. My relationship with Country Music is a rather romantic one. I enjoy the sound of it and the way it makes me feel. It takes me away to a beautiful place in my spirit. Whenever I want to feel as if I’m flying I go there.
In addition to mastering their art, what other skill sets to you recommend that artists develop if they want to be successful?
The skill of multi-tasking. In the era of the Internet it’s important to be able to connect with all of your fans on several social networks at once. I try my best to answer every comment, tweet and response. I think of my fans as my extended friends and family and it’s important to me that they know that their voices are heard.
How do you stay at the leading edge of your craft?
By listening to my favorite legends and creating my own edge.
Do you think that there are any widely held misconceptions about art and/or artists? If so, what are they and how do you work to dispel them?
I think most people assume that singers are outgoing because we perform on a stage in front of thousands of people. But it’s not always true. For example, Michael Jackson was quite shy. I, myself, get really quiet before a show and am often rather quite in general unless I’m familiar with someone. I’m not shy in the least, just not incredibly talkative unless I have something to articulate. There’s no need to dispel these misconceptions.
How do you map out your goals? How do you measure your success?
I map out my goals with my brilliant mother. And I measure my success with a yardstick.
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see or use as examples to emulate?
My peers are also those who I am inspired by: Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift.
Name two of your top role models: one in the art world and one from outside of it.
Leonardo DiVinci because he was brilliant at expressing the details of the beauty of life. Jiddu Krishnamurti because he was brilliant at simplifying the meaning of life.
Name three books, works, performances or exhibits that changed how you view life, yourself or both.
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle. The Work by Byron Katie and the exhibit of the starry sky on a clear night. That can change the way most of us see ourselves.
Why do you consider continued learning important?
Because the only constant in life is change.
What affirmations do you repeat to yourself that contribute to your success?
I don’t really use affirmations but if I did it would probably be, “I was born for this.” Simply because the one thing I don’t have the imagination for is doing anything else.
What role does art have in the community? What role would you like to see art play in the community?
Art has the role of being the foundation for everything you see in society today. From our buildings, to our cash registers to our phones and the technology in our hospitals. Society runs on creativity. Whether we know it or not, every scientist is an artist and every artist plays with science.
What role does technology play in your day-to-day life? How do you utilize it?
I am answering these questions on my computer, that’s one. Also, technology is the beautiful platform I use to travel around the world every day and connect with my fans.
What software, app or other technological innovation has made the biggest difference in your life and/or career?
The iPhone is the heart that pumps life into all of my artwork, including my latest release, the Colorblind music video. We filmed it on an iPhone 6 Plus.
Please define your personal brand.
Compassion, passionate and playful. Compassion because, like any human being, I feel a peaceful world makes for a peaceful life. Working towards peace is the foundation of my career. Passion, because I’m absolutely driven towards art and especially the art of singing. Playful because I love to laugh. Laughing is probably one of my most favorite things in the whole world.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Home. I travel so much that I’ve come to find there truly is no place like it.
If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
I would change the way we view each other. We view each other as separate when we’re not in the least. Everything I do creates a ripple effect in someone else’s life and the same could be said for everything everyone does. Many of us assume we live in a vacuum where what we do has no bearing on the lives of others but it couldn’t be further from the truth. If we looked at our brothers and sisters and saw them as an extension of ourselves, I doubt that we would ever seek to hurt or harm another human being. Wars would be considered self-destructive and peace would reign victorious.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Nothing. I feel that everything I am now is what I need to be at this moment. And when the time comes that I don’t need to be it I will be something else.
What does it take to be iconic? In your estimation, who has achieved that status?
The term iconic is defined by the society at large. In some remote villages it may take wrestling a lion and living to tell about it. Sometimes it’s about having the most home runs or selling the most albums. The common thread in all of them is simply the courage to overcome your fears and the tenacity to continuously overcome them until the very end. What does it take to be iconic? Well the only thing that can walk you through the fire and brimstone of fear is love. With love in your heart, you can do and be anything.
