Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Whitehurst.
Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began where I think most artists have, drawing as a child. I remember I used to love making picture books when I was in elementary school. Drawing has always been a part of me.
I remember I stopped for a short while when I had my son in 2007, and ended up exploring other artistic avenues such as photography and graphic design, but I always came back to illustration. When I purchased my iPad, my creative flow really awakened in me, and I just haven’t been able to stop since then.
That moment has led me to this moment! It has brought on an even deeper love of illustration, painting, and creating and has also brought many great opportunities for me. All the things I wanted to accomplish when I was younger, and even things I thought I would never get to do!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road!
Of course, in most cases it never is. I had moments where I was struggling to “find my style” of art or trying to be as good as other artists, and even wondering and questioning “Who am I doing this for?” I wasn’t being seen.
No one was asking me to create illustrations for them or their business. I was just another artist in a sea of other artists… and believe me, there are a lot!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an illustrator, a painter, and a graphic designer.
I love to create portraits that show the beauty, strength, and inspiration of black and brown women. My favorite medium is illustration digitally, however recently getting into the oil and acrylic painting, they are becoming my faves as well! I am inspired by strong black women; natural black women, black women leaders, and women like me, wives, mothers, and creatives!
I think what sets me apart from others is my style of art, and the fact I like to incorporate motion and music into my pieces. My art evokes a mood, a cozy vibe, with the colors I use and the music that is inspired by those pieces.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
One piece of art advice that I was given that always stuck with me was to trust the process.
I wouldn’t trust my abilities and I felt that that, in moments, had held me back. Once I grasped this concept, I was comfortable attacking any kind of illustration. I was drawing things that I thought I couldn’t or shied away from. Now, I trust that I can draw whatever I want or paint whatever I want!
So my advice is to definitely, trust the process, trust yourself, don’t give up, and keep working. You learn as you keep practicing and exercising your skills. Look back and see how far you have come, then you will see that all that work was worth it!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.amaciedesignstudio.com
- Instagram: @amacieforever
Image Credits
Amanda Howell Whitehurst
