We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amanda May Moore. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amanda May below.
Amanda May, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
For as long as I can remember I always enjoyed drawing and painting. I also came from a family of artists. It is a surprise I did not go into art after high school but I did not have the most supportive art teacher in high school. I have since worked on that artist wound. After studying Spanish for my BA at Michigan State, I moved to Florida City, south of Miami, FL. I worked there for 4 years as an AmeriCorps Volunteer. In my time there I began an art program and really enjoyed creating with the community. They did not have art in the elementary school until 3rd grade and oftentimes it was not the best environment for cultivating courage and creativity. I recall my art class in elementary and even see my elementary art teacher in my community from time to time. She has been so encouraging of my work too! Now, after my time of volunteering in Florida I moved back to Michigan and thought I’d return to school for teaching Spanish and Art. I never completed the art portion because I would have been in school forever. When I started teaching in the fall of 2019, I became good friends with the art teacher at my school. We began going to the downtown Ann Arbor Public Library each week for letterpress. It was there that I was reintroduced to printmaking with linoleum blocks and I have not stopped carving since! During the pandemic I had a lot more time to explore and develop a style of my own too. It was not until I was faced with difficult circumstances that I decided to leave teaching and pursue my art more fully. In the spring of 2022 my father began hospice care and I had about a month with him before he passed. During that time, I would visit him each day after teaching, exhausted, and we would talk about how it was a draining job that was not allowing me time or space to create. We also discussed how I might like to return to school for art therapy. I really do enjoy helping others through art and that is what I intend to do now in honor of my dad and also myself.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Well, first of all, thank you dear readers for having an interest in reading on about what I do! I am a printmaker that likes to carve thick bold lines that shape portraits of women. The women I create all are depicted with their eyes closed because I like to practice visualization as a form of meditation. So, they are all meditating on the place they wish to be or the state they wish to be in. Oftentimes, when I feel overwhelmed I like to imagine myself sipping coffee in a nice patch of sun. This is why I have a piece I created, titled, “I want to be a sunflower,” where the lady is among sunflowers. That is truly a goal for a level of peace and joy that I desire–simply resting in the warmth of the autumnal sun.
Besides visualization, one other thing that may be notable in my work is that I am inspired by Frida Kahlo. I used to draw her a lot before I developed my own style. This is why my ladies all have gorgeous thick eyebrows. Another thing about her that is so inspiring is that she was her own muse! So, through more introspection I began to find myself as my own muse too. I hope that as I continue to diversify my collection of portraits that women can find one that they identify with. Finally, I wish for everyone to see themselves as a muse for all that they do.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is when I am constantly humbled that people want to buy and like my work. I still am amazed each time. Of course, I greatly appreciate the support because it is not always easy–but when the interest is real and genuine… it just warms my heart and reminds me that I am on the right path. My art has a message and I hope it has a positive impact on others.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My art is about visualizing where it is that we wish to be… in a state of peace. I have often visualized peace despite difficult circumstances. For the past number of years I’ve found that I’ve been living in a survival state with the amount of stress in my teaching career. So, I have been working on shedding away all of the things that do not support my healing. It is hard to be able to do well for oneself if we are constantly in a state of survival. So, if my art is sending a message and desire for peace… then I too wish to receive that message and work through all that impedes my happiness. Making career and lifestyle changes is not easy in our society where productivity is so highly valued. I am even working on Yoga Teacher Training for myself to better my health and add exercise to my daily regimen.
Contact Info:
- Website: amandamaymoore.com
- Instagram: @amandamaymoore
Image Credits
Sophie Negi