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

Alright, Amanda Eve thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you manage your own social media?

I manage my own social media. It all started when I saw a trend on tiktok of the Pantone postcards being painted on. I had just graduated from college and was trying to figure out what to focus on in my work. I thought the postcards were such a cute idea and it would give me the freedom to paint a bunch of different objects for practice. I started making videos of them and they immediately starting blowing up and I gained a ton of followers on tiktok. I would try to post every single day multiple times and put all my focus and energy into growing my social media. Instagram is a lot different and takes more time to grow on but recently my reels have been doing pretty well and I have gained more of a following. Now I post as often as I can but I don’t put the same amount of pressure on myself. I like running my own social media because I can post whatever I’d like, whenever I’d like and I feel as if I can be more authentically myself. When I’m more authentic, my followers seem to feel more connected to me because they can relate to me when I share parts of my life that aren’t art related. I want to grow my following this way because it converts into collectors and buyers who really connect with me and my work.

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?

I am a fine artist, specially focused on oil painting. I have always loved creating art since I was very young and decided there was nothing else I would enjoy going to school for besides art. I got my BA in Fine Art and when I graduated I really focused on creating and growing my art business through my social media presence. I used to sell a lot of prints when I first started in 2021, as well as originals, but recently have decided to just focus on original paintings. I feel as if they are more special and can only be owned by one individual. I also do commission work although I don’t advertise it as much. I think my work sets me apart from others because of the style I paint in. My new followers often think I paint with acrylic because of my painting process that I show in videos and I find it funny. I also think the way I blend and shade colors sets me apart from a lot of other painters, especially oil painters. I also tend to work pretty monochromatic sometimes which I believe also sets me apart. I am most proud of the collectors I have gained through social media. It takes a lot of time and energy to grow your social media and the collectors I have gained through that just remind me of all the hard work I have put in. I am extremely grateful for them and for everyone who supports my work, whether that’s just liking my post or becoming a new follower. I want my followers to know that even though I do everything by myself and it is a lot of work, I wouldn’t change it for the world. If they are considering creating a business themselves or want to become a full time artist, do it. It will be stressful and there will be times you will want to give up, but it is so worth it if you keep going.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

There are a lot of books and podcasts that have significantly helped me change my mindset and run my business. Book wise this includes The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, The Smartist Guide by Alicia Puig and Ekaterina Popova, Art MBA by Bridgette Mayer, and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. How Dispenza. Podcast wise, I absolutely love The Inspired Painter with Jessica Libor because I connect with her as an artist but also in a spiritual level with things like meditation, gratitude and manifestation. I also love The Artist Business Plan with Superfine Art Fair. I have learned so many incredible tips from them and their guests. My two other favorites are the Create podcast by Ekaterina Popova and The Artist Advisory Hotline by Marina Granger.

If you have multiple revenue streams in your business, would you mind opening up about what those streams are and how they fit together?

I have multiple streams of income which I think is insanely important when it comes to being an artist. I make money through instagram reels, through sponsorships on tiktok and through selling my art. I’m currently focused on growing my facebook and Pinterest to try and join both of their creator funds as well. I also am going to try to release my Patreon by the beginning of next year which would bring in another stream of income. For TikTok, I’m not in the creator fund because I believe it pays so little and stops putting your videos out to as many people and that’s a huge part of my business I don’t want to lose on. I do love to do sponsorships through TikTok though because they are so much fun since I already enjoy making videos as well as creating art. I find it incredibly important to have these multiple streams. For example, let’s say I don’t sell a painting one month, I’m still getting some kind of income from my instagram and TikTok sponsorships. I feel as if everything is always fluctuating when you’re running an art business specifically and multiple revenue streams can really help.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.amandaeveart.com/shop
• Instagram: @amandaeve.art
• Facebook: amandaeve.art
• Youtube: @amandaeve
• Other: tiktok: @amandaeveart