Today we’d like to introduce you to Armineh Davis.
Hi Armineh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The journey to being an artist has certainly been winding! I have been painting and drawing ever since I can remember, and my parents pretty immediately put me into art classes. Throughout my childhood all the way until I graduated high school, I studied under Michael Hammons and Katherine Uitz, two local Austin artists. Michael Hammons has sadly since passed, but they are both incredible artists and I learned so much about fundamentals from them.
After that, I pursued the ‘responsible’ jobs. Initially, I went into a 3D animation track, but ended up studying English & Theatre, thinking I’d teach in a high school setting. I graduated and did a bit of everything from working at a financial advising firm to executive assistant work to copywriting to various customer service roles, eventually landing back full-circle and completing a degree in 3D animation–for real this time. I did some project management and freelance work with that. However (and this is the majorly condensed version), it became very apparent with all my work experience and continued love of visual art, it was time I dedicate myself to being an artist. Paired with taking a course by Tim Packer about the business of being an artist (something I had no background or understanding of), I full-heartedly believe that being a multi passionate creative professionally has been a major factor on this journey. So I’ve delved head first into the longest passion in my life: art…second maybe to reading and musicals.
For me, building a creative business has comprised of selling originals and prints, developing products, and creating content. I’m using all my muscles and connecting with so many lovely people, and I’m still a fairly small artist! It’s been fulfilling and purposeful in a world increasingly hostile to art and compassion and beauty. I look forward to the rest of this journey and feel so thankful to everyone who has ever or will ever support me, truly. You make it possible for artists like me to persist.
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?
It’s definitely not been linear, though art itself has always been a “path of least resistance” for me in terms of passion and I’ve spent so many years learning, that it’s basically second-nature to seek out and collect a new, shiny skill. Throughout my years of ‘normal’ jobs, I consistently took on commissions or picked up new mediums. I even taught myself cake-decorating! Creating has always been a life-giving passion of mine, but I remember how confusing or discouraging it can be to feel that there must be *something* I can do with this skill and hear the echoes of our STEM-preoccupied world or, worse, you hear your own inner critic question the importance of art. To be honest, I’m still in the process of figuring out how to navigate those voices, and I think to some extent most creatives will always battle with this.
In my experiences, it’s almost harder to ignore that creative pull. And I’ve never been more excited and energized at the possibilities, nor more convinced that this world needs more artists. I launched my website this year and I’ve been so blown away and honored at the support it’s received though, so thank you to everyone who’s encouraged me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an artist with a love for the natural world, large rocks (i.e. mountains–I’m a simple gal), and celestial space. I seek out that feeling of awe through dramatic lighting or texture, anything to capture the scale or wonder of it all through a variety of mediums (oil, acrylic, gouache, digital painting, et al). I also take on fan art and pet portrait commissions, an endeavor I started after my soul cat passed; I even offer a “Porthos Memorial discount” for any pets that have also passed on in his memory.
Metaphorically, If I were to describe my artist toolbelt, it’s made of soft fraying leather, embroidered with teal and orange thread, and smells of chai and rose. Practically, the tools on that belt would be: stylistic, visible brushstrokes, impressionism and playing with color, and bold texture.
However, I also pride myself on being multi-passionate: I’m a content creator, video editor, and writer among other things. But this also shows up usually in my breadth of styles or subjects I am willing to take on as well as my hobbies outside of art that inform my worldview or fill my cup. Personally, I’ve found the media we consume impacts the art we create in a fascinating symbiotic kind of way. So, if I were to wax poetical, my philosophy of creation lies somewhere in between these two quotes:
– “If you ever find that you’re the most talented person in the room, you need to find another room.” (Austin Kleon, Steal Like an Artist)
– “Stop worrying if your vision is new; let others make that decision. They usually do.” (Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George)
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
As a small business owner, I thank you for this question! There’s so many ways to support. You can share my work or content or just reach out and say hello! If you want to see behind the scenes studio vlogs, or more of myself, you can subscribe to my YouTube channel. If you’d like to commission me, I take inquiries on my website. And of course, if you’d like to purchase an original or print, that can be done on my website or any of my social media channels. I’d be thrilled to hear from collectors or supporters in any capacity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://arminehdavis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arminehdavisart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arminehdavisart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arminehdavis
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@arminehdavis
Image Credits
Armineh Davis
