We were lucky to catch up with Amanda Pletsch recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
The most meaningful project that I have worked on was co-writing a children’s story with my daughter who was six at that time. In June of 2020 I illustrated and self published Super Hero Mermaids. My daughter kept retelling the same story over and over again and even made a game out of it that involved her cousins and super hero powers. It is meaningful to me because it helped inspire her to love writing and to create stories with her own art. This project lead to a possible business idea of capturing other families stories and since then I have illustrated and published one other book through my small company The Family Tales.
This also lead to a project that has to do with parent Creating in Chaos. As a parent myself and being surrounded by other parent who are creative but put it on the back burner to take care of their kids, I want to show parents that you can create in the chaos. Let your kids join in on the art making because their creativity it just amazing and contagious. Plus you can be inspired by them to create art, at least I am.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
My name is Amanda Pletsch I am a freelance artist/illustrator/teacher. I am passionate about helping others realize what they are truly capable of. With an extensive teaching background, every day I get to help people to explore their artistic creativity. I meet them where they are at, supporting them emotionally and helping them develop the practical skills needed for their journey. The Family Tales is a company that specializes in creating and capturing the imagination of young children in collaboration with their families. We guide you through the process of storytelling from coming up with the idea to having the book in your hand. I also want to teach children that it is ok to have art project or any kind of projects for that matter done fast. We live in an instant gratification world and our children think that is how everything is. I have students that want to finish their project in the hour session I have with them. They need to know that it is ok for something to take time.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I graduated with my B.A in fine arts and out of college I needed a job, so I went to work as a teachers aide. Then I met my husband who was also a teacher and decided that I need to be teaching these kids art. I went to take my basic skills test and passed writing but nothing else. I then got accepted to a program called Chicago teaching fellow and was planning on taking a fast track to being a special education teacher. I of course didn’t pass again. Three hours at a computer for a test wasn’t happing for my adhd brain. I ended up having my daughter and being a stay at home mom. I was getting antsy so I went back to work. A teacher I was working under told me about this magical school that I could teach art to one kid at a time and a certificate didn’t really mean anything. I have been working at that school now for five years. I have made some amazing connections and have been finally able to feel fulfilled by helping kids create art they are passionate about. This has also lead to me inspiring my own children to do that same.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Society can best support artist and creatives by starting in education. Art education is way more important than most would think. Art teaches creative problem solving skills, show that there is more than one right way of doing things and makes people happier and or helps children express their feeling and emotions. I do think because of the pandemic society is supporting the social and emotional aspect of education more than ever. Plus so many new art businesses or artist are popping up because they had nothing else to do during the pandemic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://art-by-amanda-pletsch.square.site/
- Instagram: @acpletsch_illustrations
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artworkbyapletsch/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-pletsch-5071561a3/
- Other: https://www.behance.net/amandapletsch https://www.amazon.com/Super-Hero-Mermaids-Annalise-Pletsch/dp/B089TT3VBN