We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Donahue recently and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

When I started The Scribblist, I was about to start a graduate program for Fine Art and wanted to bring in some extra income. I had a steady stream of projects to sustain me for those two years, and enjoyed all of the work I was creating. Once I graduated, we moved back home, as we had always planned. And then I had to start all over again. I found myself in a new, more challenging market and struggling to adapt. I decided to take on a full time job, and put my artistic career on a brief (or so I thought) hold. The plan was to work full time for one year, cause you know—those bills ain’t paying themselves— and then return to my own endeavors. Nothing in the next two years went according to any kind of plan I had. But as I was approaching the end of my third year of working full time, I knew something had to change.

My husband gave me the exact push I needed to make that change. He has always believed in me and what I am capable of – truly the best, most supportive life partner. It was clear that if I wasn’t happy, it was going to have to be me making the change. And so, after many tears shed in a grocery market parking lot, I decided to leave my full time job.

When word got out that I was stepping down from my role to pursue my own business, everyone assumed that I must be seeing a ton of success already. If I was willing to walk away from a steady salary, I must have it made! Well, nope. I just knew that if I could devote my time and energy towards this thing that I love that someday, down the road, I could replace my salary. And not just replace it, but double it, triple it, who knows!

I have been full-time with my business for about five years now, and it has been nothing short of amazing. There were a lot of things I didn’t know when I started, but I learned along the way. I stayed curious, and open to change, and the universe met me right where I was at to help me along this journey. My only regret is not believing in myself sooner.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

The Scribblist is a brand that specializes in creating vibrant hand-painted designs that pay homage to beautiful lettering and joyful illustration. I specialize in whimsical watercolor and gouache paintings, bringing to life high-quality products like greeting cards, notepads, holiday ornaments, and more, in addition to designing fully custom wedding stationery and hand-painted murals.

In a world dominated by technology, my work represents a return to a slower-paced intention driven life. I love working with my hands, and while I certainly utilize technology in the production of my products, all of my designs are hand-painted and aim to make everyday feel like a day worth celebrating.

When it comes to wedding stationery, I am endlessly inspired by the personal details of each couple’s love story. No two invitation suites are alike, as each incorporates special details unique to the couple. From venue paintings, to pet portraits, I thrive on creating something truly unique and special to each client.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

I am endlessly inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert, especially her non-fiction masterpiece “Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear”. She is so generous with her vulnerability and wisdom, and her words will strike a chord deep within you. She helped me be more comfortable with taking risks, something key to the entrepreneurial journey, and inspired me to bring the same joy and creativity to my everyday life that I bring to the table in my business.

I was also deeply influenced by “Make Good Art.”. This book was created from the commencement speech author Neil Gaiman (known for “American Gods”, “Good Omens”, and more) delivered in 2012 at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. I was gifted a copy from my sister when I received my MFA, and it has been a guiding light for me ever since. Touching on topics like imposter syndrome and what to do when you’re just feeling hopeless, I felt seen, but most of all, inspired to keep going and make good art.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely – the first of them being community. Find likeminded people who are on a similar journey as you are. It will help you feel less alone in the trying times, and provide a space to celebrate the wins (even small ones!) with a group of people who understand your experiences. This could be a Facebook group (I love the Stationery Squad coordinated by Design by Laney), a paid membership group, or even local networking events.

Be sure to also check out programs offering grants in your local area. There are often city or state funded programs you can apply to, and I know from experience, they are often overlooked!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thescribblist.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescribblist/