We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amber McDowell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Ten years ago, I relocated from Iowa to Minneapolis to pursue my art career. While I had begun selling my work in small coffee shops around Des Moines, I felt unfulfilled. I was searching for something more — a community brimming with opportunities for artists. Minneapolis offered everything I was looking for: art fairs throughout the summer, a vibrant gallery scene, exhibitions, and a wealth of artistic possibilities.
I moved here without a job, determined to immerse myself in the local art scene. I reached out to galleries, expanded my online presence, networked with fellow artists, and applied for small shows. I also secured a position at a local printing company that specializes in working with artists, which helped me build valuable connections within the community.
It wasn’t long before I discovered the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis — a space that immediately captured my heart. Originally home to the Northrup King & Co. seed company, the building has since evolved into a creative hub housing over 350 artists and arts-related businesses. It quickly became my goal to secure permanent studio and gallery space within this iconic building, surrounded by other talented artists.
However, I knew that achieving this dream wouldn’t be easy. Leasing opportunities in the building were rare, and I was determined to find the perfect location with great studio mates. But the prospect of taking on rent was a risk. Would people buy enough of my work to sustain this new chapter? Despite the uncertainty, I continued working at the print shop, creating art, and participating in exhibitions, trusting that if the right opportunity came along, I would recognize it.
In December, that opportunity finally arrived. I was offered the chance to share a studio with three talented artists I had known for nearly a decade, and the location was perfect. After careful consideration, I decided to take the leap. I moved into the space in February, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing.
While the uncertainty of whether my work will sell still lingers, I know this is a risk worth taking. It’s the realization of a dream I’ve nurtured for ten years, and I have no doubt that this bold move will be as rewarding as the first risk I took when I moved to Minneapolis.
Amber, 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 artistic journey began in childhood, surrounded by creativity. My mother and grandmother, both passionate artists, were constant sources of inspiration. I fondly remember my grandmother taking me to ceramic and craft classes, instilling in me a love for creating. From a young age, my mind was always buzzing with ideas—colors to combine, things to make—and it has never stopped. I was born with this drive, and it’s a part of who I am.
Throughout my life, I’ve created art, but it wasn’t until about 15 years ago that I began selling my work. The first time I realized people would purchase my art, I was thrilled, and it motivated me to create even more. I work primarily in acrylics and watercolors, developing a new series each year while also continuing to expand upon my older collections whenever fresh ideas emerge.
My goal is to create accessible art that my collectors can enjoy in their everyday lives. I offer original pieces in various sizes, as well as canvas and paper prints, ensuring that there’s something for every space, no matter the size.
The inspiration for my work comes from life experiences, often sparked by music, humor, or memorable people I’ve met. My art is designed to be easily understood and to tell a story—many of my pieces evoke smiles and laughter, which is the most rewarding part of what I do.
I’ve developed several animal-themed series, including one where watercolor animals are playfully blowing bubble gum—always a crowd-pleaser. My current series, Creative Creatures, features animals engaging in quirky, human-like activities. I also enjoy giving my pieces creative titles, adding a bit of humor that resonates with viewers.
When I can make someone smile, even if it’s just for a moment while they browse my gallery, I know I’ve made their day a little brighter. That’s the true reward for me.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
There are numerous things, but two that come to mind…Support local and independent art spaces. Artists need places to create, showcase, and sell their work. Society can support the development of local galleries, artist collectives, community art centers, and co-working spaces for creatives. These spaces foster collaboration, learning, and growth for artists while making art more accessible to the community.
Create platforms for exposure. Society can support artists by fostering platforms—both physical and digital—that allow for exposure and engagement. This includes art festivals, online galleries, social media platforms, and even public art installations. These opportunities allow artists to reach wider audiences, including collectors, curators, and potential patrons. If you know an artist, simply liking, commenting and sharing their social media posts is a huge help as well.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Yes, I believe one of the biggest challenges non-creatives may struggle to understand is the emotional and financial vulnerability that comes with being a creative. For many artists, their work is deeply personal—it’s an extension of who they are, their thoughts, and their experiences. When you create something, you’re not just making an object; you’re sharing a part of yourself. That can make receiving criticism or facing rejection feel very intense, because it’s not just about the work, but about you as a person.
Additionally, the financial uncertainty of being a creative can be difficult to grasp. Many artists don’t have a steady paycheck or the security of a traditional career path. Instead, they face the unpredictable nature of sales, commissions, and opportunities, which often means living with a degree of financial instability. It’s easy for others to suggest “just keep creating,” but without consistent income or a clear roadmap, that can feel daunting, especially when you’re also balancing the pressure to “make it.”
Creativity also doesn’t work on a schedule. There are days when inspiration is abundant, and others when it feels like the ideas just won’t come. This ebb and flow can make it hard for non-creatives to understand why a creative person might need to take breaks or be more in tune with their emotions, environment, and personal life in order to foster the right mindset for making art.
Lastly, there’s the constant internal struggle of balancing the desire for artistic authenticity with the need to make a living. As artists grow, they’re often presented with opportunities that might not align with their original vision or style, and navigating that tension between creative integrity and commercial success can be a difficult balancing act.
In short, while non-creatives may appreciate art on a surface level, they might not fully grasp the emotional, financial, and personal risks that go hand in hand with the creative journey. It’s a path filled with both rewards and challenges, where perseverance, passion, and a deep connection to one’s work are essential to pushing through the tough times.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ambermcdowellfineart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberpaints4u
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amberpaints4u
- Other: Goza Gallery
Northrup King Building
Studio 155
1500 Jackson St NE
Minnepolis MN 55413Open Saturdays 12-4 and special events
