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

Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

In 2009, I went on a mission trip to Rwanda, Africa. During that initial experience, the Rwandan pastor we were partnering with discovered I was an artist and lit up! We NEED you to come and teach the women! A few months later, I returned, and we started with basic art techniques. Since that time, a business, Do Good Project, was born, and our artisans’ work is sold all over the country, with the bulk of the profits returning to Rwanda. It has transformed villages and given women a pathway to leave prostitution, to invest in their community, and to open their own businesses with the skills they learn through Do Good. It’s one of my favorite passion projects.

A second, more recent project (still in the planning stages) is a partnership between the non-profit Clement Arts and the judicial system. Clement exists to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable, foster, and adoptive families through gospel-centered support and creative experiences. I have taught kids in art classes at Clement for years. This year, a local judge who runs family court asked us to help transform his stark courtroom into a trauma-informed space. I am a counselor by trade; this is a full-circle moment for me to use my passion for art and my therapy background to impact the community with a little intentional compassion. I will teach our older students to think with a trauma-informed mindset as they design, create, and install a large-scale project.

Amanda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey is the story. It is full of plot twists and turns. Heartbreak early on was actually a pause and a shift. As each of my plans led to an unexpected path, I have learned the art of chillax. :). What once felt like the end of it all is now shockingly coming full circle. The story of my life is beautiful. I am so grateful for the closed doors that nudged me to add new tools to my toolbox, to activate my unique creativity, and to ultimately build a life I never saw coming. I have found that when your faith makes space for the unexpected, and you keep your hands open—willing to serve, willing to give, willing to consider different possibilities—you find your purpose. Each ‘no’ shifted my trajectory to a surprise ‘yes’. Some of the paths were painful and HARD. Some took years to walk, but as I keep moving forward, glances back offer a stunning view.

I now stand on stages and share my stories with audiences who need to remember their why. I am able to use the wisdom I have gained along the way to reignite people’s passions and purpose. I share my art, my sense of adventure, and my passion for meaningful relationships in a way that anyone can make simple, intentional shifts to re-engage with a life that they can call beautiful.

I am a storyteller at heart. I love to share practical tips: things that have helped and equipped me. I love to paint art that connects someone with a meaningful moment, a significant visual their mind can grasp, but their eyes long to see. I want to use my talents as an artist to bring beauty to your world. I believe rising tides lift all ships. I intend to build a life that has meaning and value and invite as many people as I can to join me. I believe there is good in the world, and I intend to unlock as much of it as I can on my way.

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

I would say the best way to support creatives is to use your words. We don’t have marketing teams or tech skills (at least I don’t…). Half of the battle is connecting with actual customers who would love our work. We need a hype team. People who share our number or website with someone who is headed into a box store to buy a wall space-filler. We need someone who says, “You should call Amanda. She helped me figure out what I needed to occupy valuable visual square footage.” When we launch a line or offer a new service, tag people who will connect with it! Share it, be generous with your platforms to help others find ours.

Second, don’t assume you can’t afford us. We are small business owners who can change prices, offer different services, customize, trade, etc. We drive the boat, so we can make the rules. ASK. If you want a piece but are worried about the cost, do the revolutionary thing: save for it. Custom is worth the investment.

“Support local artists” doesn’t help when it’s just become a cute tagline. It helps when people adopt it as a lifestyle.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

To trust people. Sounds generic, but get burned a few times and you close off. I once offered sewing services. I had a list of insane, creative, unique ideas. I shared that list freely with potential clients. I spent a lot of time with one girl (who was also a friend). Taking her request, I came up with a cool idea, and she loved it. Until she realized she would have to pay shipping….She actually told me, “I don’t want to pay shipping, I will get someone local to make it.” My idea. My hours of effort. My “friend.”

When hurtful things happen, when you feel robbed, your tendency is to withhold every idea and never trust again. The problem with that is, if you aren’t sharing, how do people find out what you are selling?

Creative property is a delicate balance to strike. I was too open with mine initially. I handed out the blueprints. That was unwise. Being closed off was also unwise. I still overthink how much to share without giving away the farm. I show selective behind-the-scenes, but never my process. It’s unique to me. People may copy it, but they can’t have my recipe in its entirety.

The more you grow, the more people will ‘steal’ your look. My goal is to be the one people know, the brand and face they trust. It’s the best we can do without driving ourselves mad. If you are a new creative, learn from the artists you admire, play around with their color combinations and techniques, but then challenge yourself to develop your own unique look! It will feel more authentic and ultimately bring you more joy and hopefully $$.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amandaraynewman.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaraynewman/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064477852806
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-ray-newman/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzetmCl8aoW3hqlryhAc7jw