I'm so happy I waited till the very last minute to write Amy's intro because we have truly gotten to know each other a whole lot better over the last few weeks. Amy did her Artist Takeover ( see our highlights ) last week only to be met with error messages the first 32 times she attempted to login into the Hola Gwapa account. Let me tell ya, there's nothing like trying to login to an Instagram account for 3 hours that will bond you. Most people would have respectfully said "Ok I tried I'm out" but Amy offered solution after solution until we cracked the code. And finally, she was in! 

It's Artists like Amy who inspire me to create this community. She is driven and motivated with an authentic drive to share her work and process with those who want to learn. She is genuine and heartfelt and extremely kind. Not to be overshadowed by her talent. Keep reading to find out how Amy navigates social media and proves that being a self-taught Artist is super badass. 

Who is Amy Bramante? Where are you from? Where do you live now? How did you become the woman you are today?

I grew up in a small town in Montana, called Kalispell. I currently live in Boise, Idaho, for just over a year now. Of course, our individual life experiences play a significant role in developing our character, but I credit my parents, my faith, and my husband for most of my redeeming qualities. All of which has taught me about commitment, and honesty, and that I am capable.

Tell us a little bit about what drew you to your medium. Did you choose to work with said medium or did it choose you?

 Your aesthetic is SO happy. Tell us more about your process and what inspires this feeling of pure bliss.

That's nice to hear! My work is driven by my love of color and shape. I collect colors, designs, and compositions in my sketchbooks that I use and translate as I work. I paint in a simplified narrative that hopefully captures what I observe and experience in the world around me. Ultimately I aim to create something that is balanced, engaging, and visually pleasing. I do try to be very honest and self-assessing as I work, and not be afraid to scrap it, or start over if somethings not working. Since it is an extension of my own feelings or thoughts or memories, I do need it to speak to me as well.

What is the single most important tip or trick you could share that has helped you to turn your passion into a paycheck?

There's no substitute for hard work. It's good to be thoughtful about your craft and approach and to take time to develop as an artist. Try not to get hung up on all the details in the very beginning. You just have to start. You have to start where you are and put in the work. It can feel fruitless and overwhelming early on, but I would encourage anyone to focus on why they love creating in the first place. Let it be about the work and your love for your art. Put in the hours and you'll see progress.

What do you want the younger female artists coming up behind you to know about you, your journey, and the art industry in general?

I am primarily a self-taught artist. I did not go to an art school. I often feel inferior because of that, but it doesn't mean I'm any less deserving of experiencing "success" within the industry. Where I find success may be different than someone else, as each person's journey is different after all. I truly believe it's about finding what works for you. Finding your niche. There is room for all of us. We all have something of value to bring to the table, and we shouldn't count ourselves out no matter our background, pedigree, education, or story. Embrace your whole journey and it will be put to good use.

What do you know for sure?

Life is too short to not laugh every day. Joy is both contagious and regenerative. You have something to offer that no one else has.

What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as a female artist to date? What are some of the biggest mistakes you've made and how did you overcome them?

This may be a female thing or maybe just a human thing, but I think navigating social media these days can certainly be a challenge. At least it has been for me. Instagram, for example, is an indispensable tool and platform for us artists, and I know for myself, has brought about wonderful opportunities, that I wouldn't have come across otherwise. However, it can be detrimental if I'm not careful about protecting my process, and the authenticity of my own work. Too much scrolling, comparing, and outside influence can certainly be more of a hindrance than the help if I'm not thinking about how I interact with it. It is just an app, after all. It's certainly not the measure of success or value of me as a person or an artist. So I try to keep perspective by consuming most of my inspiration outside that realm.

Give us three of your favorite/most inspiring things right now. Could be a book, a food, a destination, a song, a person, etc.

Going out for a run or practicing yoga helps start my day right, and puts me in a positive headspace I enjoy a good cup of coffee and have recently become obsessed with the art of the french press. Pretty much Spotify in general- it's the best subscription I have, and I don't have a day in the studio when it's not on! Music and podcasts are fuel!

What are your future plans for your work? Where do you see yourself going 1,3,5 years from now and how do you plan to get there?

Honestly, in a field that's continually and rapidly changing, the sky is the limit! I have no definitive plans for where I will go, but I certainly don't have any barriers either. One of the things that drive me forward is the knowledge that I could work my entire life within the art industry, and never be bored. If in 5 years I've had the opportunity to grow my practice, to become more honest and free in my work, to have collaborated and extended into different markets, that would be incredibly fulfilling! I would love to work with clay and ceramics again and I'm currently working on a collection of surface pattern designs, which is completely new to me, and quite exciting!

To learn more about Amy and her work please visit www.amybramante.com