Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Reid.
Amanda, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am the founder and creator of Amanda Reid Designs (ARD), and I have been painting and creating for over ten years. I currently live in Austin, Tx with my husband. Aside from lettering and painting, I work as a Physical Therapist, enjoy cooking, and making time for things that matter most.
I have always been creative, but I didn’t start selling my work until I was in college. I was a student at Baylor University, and I would paint canvases, signs, and shoes and sell them to my friends as my side hustle for extra money. After graduating from undergrad, I went on to pursue and earn my Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Throughout that time, and especially after landing my first job as a physical therapist, I noticed I was painting and creating less and less. I was so caught up in my education and career; I was not making time to do the things that make me happy and bring me joy. Painting is my creative outlet and is very therapeutic for me, so the fact that I did not have much time to create was not what I wanted.
After six months of working full time, where I was seeing sometimes 15-18 patients/day as a new grad, doing a residency program, and taking work home to document every night, I decided to quit my job. I made the decision to quit after walking through a store, and I saw a sign that said: “Life is too short to not be doing what makes you happy.” That was a sign, literally, and the confirmation that I needed.
I now work per diem/part-time, am able to make my own schedule, make more than I was at my previous clinic, and most importantly, have time to create. In January 2019, I rebranded my business, which is now Amanda Reid Designs. I couldn’t be more happy and grateful to be in a better place mentally and spiritually to be able to use the gifts I was given to create and share with the world.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Amanda Reid Designs (ARD) is a local business that offers custom hand-painted signs, stationery, and prints designed to inspire, uplift and beautify your space. I tend to lean towards a more modern, minimalist design, but am willing to create some fun pieces for my custom orders. When people see my work, I want them to feel inspired and at peace. I use a few different mediums, including acrylic paint, watercolor, and ink calligraphy. Some examples of things I create include wood signs, canvases, office/desk décor, name tags, wedding/event stationery, and more.
I also host creative workshops called Workshops x ARD! Workshops x ARD brings creativity and community together in a fun and intimate setting. These workshops are a full experience and a great way to learn a new skill. In my workshops, each participant will learn the basics of lettering to create and take home their own custom, hand-painted project. Some examples of workshops I host include wood signs, watercolor lettering, and watercolor florals. I have new classes coming up that I am very excited about, so be sure to check my social media pages and website for new class releases!
The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
Each of us are fully equipped to create no matter our financial status or experience. In this age of social media, it is so easy to compare and think we have to obtain a certain look, a certain number of followers, and have everything together before starting a business or artistic path. I started off by painting and selling canvases out of my college dorm. If I had not started then, I would not be as skilled as I am now. If you are waiting for the perfect conditions to launch your business, you will be waiting for a long time. Start with what you have, where you are, and what you know.
Another comment I hear a lot and have even struggled with myself is, “everybody else is already doing _____.” My response to that is that no one can ever create or carry out your art or business like YOU. What you offer is as unique as your fingerprint. It’s okay to start small. It takes time to develop and grow in skill and finances. Start with what you have, and start now.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My work can be found on my social media pages and website. You can also email me for custom order inquiry, collaborations, and events. Contact info below:
Contact Info:
- Website: http://amandareiddesigns.co/
- Email: amandareiddesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandareiddesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaReidDesigns/
- Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/amanda-reid-designs-19357421027
Image Credit:
Matthew Reid Photography
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