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

Hi Amanda, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

As a child being creative was always my thing. I pursued pathways in life that left room for creativity. In college at the University of Michigan I majored in Art History but always took fine arts classes to fulfill my passion. After college I worked at a textile company in design & product development. I later moved on to get my Masters in Early Childhood Ed and became a Kindergarten teacher. I worked in a progressive school which enabled a very creative curriculum. Fast forward a few years, 2 children and life in the suburbs, I was afforded some time to dig back into my creative side and start painting again. I created a large painting for my parent’s dining room and posted it on instagram. Friends and other family members began reaching out for commissions. I soon realized my work was appreciated and validated by not just friends and family. There was a real need for art amongst young families in the suburbs living in homes with many large walls to fill. It was then that I decided to carve out more time for creating my artwork, focusing on building my business and expanding my network.

Amanda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a mom of a six year old girl and a ten year old boy. I am an abstract painter focusing most of my business on large scale commissions for homes and offices. I got back into my passion when we moved into our home and I had large blank walls to fill. I hung up two very big bold pieces I had made in college in prominent rooms in my home. When friends and family walked in my home they were amazed and immediately commented on the works; often asking me to paint them one. I ended up painting a piece for my mother’s 70th birthday. I posted it on instagram and it began to take off from there. So many friends and people around me have the same need to fill their walls with love but don’t know where to begin to find art they enjoy. I work with my clients, visit their homes to help measure and decide what color palette will be best in their space. I have a passion for color and bringing that statement piece to their lives that makes them feel happy when they look at it each day. My works strive to be a talking piece when others enter their space.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Patience. Purchasing a piece of art for people takes reflection and time. They may see my works and love them but art is not an impulse buy. The client has to be ready to make the commitment. So for me I have to keep my excitement at bay until they officially make the purchase because sometimes it could be months or even years before they actually decide to commission a piece.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I would say the most rewarding part is getting to do my art. For me I get such enjoyment from the process that it is actually my “me time” and relaxation time. I like to do my art in my home studio when no one else is home and the house is quiet. I put on music and it becomes this peaceful, creative time I carve out. It is almost my stress free wellness time where everything else gets put on hold and I can solely focus on creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amandaarbeter.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaarbeter_art/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amanda.hyattarbeter