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

Amanda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As a child I was always drawing, but it was in high school that I decided that was what I was going to pursue art in college. I had found that creating art was a way I could express my feelings and work through depression and anxiety. My home life was tumultuous.

I started taking more and more art electives and became close to those art teachers. They were very encouraging.

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

My time is split between being a mom, an artist, and teaching a couple yoga classes a week. (The yoga classes help keep me from losing my mind.) Since my time is so divided, the moments that I am able to be in my studio are very valuable to me. I do not have time to paint things that I do not find interesting or important. my use of bright colors, pretty flowers, and creatures leads viewers to refer to my art as “whimsical” at first glance, it is not. I love watching the expressions change once people move past the colors towards the deeper meaning. They have to stay for a moment though.

I grew up outside on farmland. I loved being outdoors exploring, learning, and trying to understand how things in nature operate. The adult world that I was raised in made no sense to me, but nature and all of its little beings did make sense. I have carried my love and appreciation for our environment with me always. My work sometimes references the destruction of the land and sometimes the politics behind it. Sometimes there will be a small reference to the general state of current events.

I believe that it is my responsibility as an artist to try to communicate big ideas rather than just something pretty that matches the sofa. That being said, all of my work looks fine around sofas. I know that my time is limited so I want to use it to create things that I see as important.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When my life becomes so hectic that I can’t withdraw into the studio I get into a terrible mood. I have to have that quiet focus time or everything becomes so unbalanced. Creating is not really a choice for many artists. We will make things out of anything within our grasp.

When I am working on a painting it almost always begins with energetic fervor, but becomes quite tedious by the end when it is becoming polished and detailed. It is work and it is work I love.

My favorite part though, is when I get to take the work out to show. I love watching the visitors stop to examine. I love hearing people of all ages talk about it. I really love it when they finally turn around and ask me what it is about. I never tell. I have excavated my own baggage onto the canvas and now it is their turn to find meaning that suits their life experiences. That is something I greatly enjoy.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Don’t purchase your art from big box stores. Of course I realize that not everyone can go out and buy a beautiful original artwork, but you can probably find a great print and that artist is going to be so happy that you were drawn to their work. Support your local shops, festivals, and galleries. If you live somewhere that does not have those or you don’t really care for it go online! Don’t just get something because it is the right size for a space. Get something that pulls at your heart you will be able to find a frame for it at the thrift shop.

Contact Info:

• Website: ABarbarito.com
• Instagram:@shellytheemotionalsupportpurse
• Facebook: Amanda Barbarito