Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Peterson.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always been an artistic soul as long as I can remember. My great grandfather was a painter and I was always surrounded by art. When I was little I would write little stories and illustrate them.
As an adult, my artistic journey has been a bit winding. As I graduated high school, I took a break from traditional art to pursue a career in science and I also fell in love with photography. I ran A.L.P Photography as a side business for about a decade and then when I moved from one city to the next and the pandemic began, I dove back into traditional art full force.
Coming into my own as a painter and visual storyteller has been quite the miracle for me. It has allowed me to pursue my own happiness independent of the circumstances of the world around me. Being an artist allows me to touch people and change the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would never call being an artist a smooth road. As I detailed, my journey to growing into the artist I am today has been a bit roundabout. But beyond that, I face the same struggles and doubts of every artist and small business owner:
Is my art good enough to share with people?
Will anyone like what I’m making?
Is there a place for what I want to say in the market?
Some time in the beginning of the pandemic I heard someone say that art is like cake:
There are people out there that only like vanilla or red velvet. And perhaps your art is chocolate. Just because some people only like vanilla does not mean that there are no chocolate lovers out there.
Something about this clicked in my brain and allowed me to move past a lot of my doubts about my own art. I decided to create with passion and force and let others decide whether they liked it later on and not to worry if something was perfect or appealing to everyone.
Embracing this passion of art and creation has allowed me to let go of perfectionism and to really love myself in the moment. I am thankful to be an artist and I can only hope that my art touches other souls and lets them feel strongly in the moment of their viewing.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As of right now, I am madly in love with oil paintings. I adore deeply saturated colors and high contrast – I think it’s a carry-over from my days as a photographer.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
So many ways! Gone are the days of only being able to find an artist’s work in stuffy art galleries.
SOCIAL MEDIA – Join my community on social media and share your favorite artists with your friends and family! This may seem small but it is always wonderful to receive positive affirmations regarding your artistic passions.
MY SHOP – I offer smaller and less expensive items in my shop – no need to feel intimidated by the sticker shock of an original painting – check out my prints, tote bags, stickers, notebooks and more!
ART LESSONS – I offer art lessons to persons local to the Austin Metro Area. These lessons are tailored to you and your goals! If this is something that interests you, please reach out to me via my website.
COMMISSIONS – I love commissions! Do you have a dream you want to see realized on canvas? A beloved family member you want memorialized? A vision for decorating your space in a very special or custom way? Let me help you realize that dream! There is a contact page for commissions on my website.
ORIGINAL WORKS – Original paintings are definitely on the pricier side of supporting your local artist but as an artist and art collector myself, let me tell you there is such joy in having original art in your home. To be able to walk up to a painting and touch it and feel the brushstrokes, to see the movement of paint across a canvas… It’s wonderful and awe-inspiring.
My original paintings are posted in my shop as they become available. Be sure to sign up for my members’ newsletter to get updates on new pieces and occasional shop sales!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artbyalp.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/artbyalp
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/artbyamandapeterson/
- Other: https://beacons.ai/artbyalp
Image Credits
Art by ALP
