Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Amelia Nery. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Amelia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved art. When I was a child, I would roam around the house with a pen, “decorating” everything in sight. Walls, the underside of tables, you name it – they all served as my canvases. I’m grateful that my parents allowed me the freedom to express my creativity. It felt like the entire world was my creative playground. I didn’t spare even the condiments on dinner plates. I would imagine ketchup as a flowing river, a fried egg as a circular house, and I’d use chopsticks to dig a hole in it to create a door for a little dog to come home.

Much of this creativity can be attributed to my mother, who is a pastel artist. She taught me about colors and the relationships between them, and both of us have vivid imaginations.

When I was in my teens, I realized that I had an extraordinary passion for visuals, composition, and colors. I would often lose track of time while painting, and my textbooks were filled with doodles. In school, I would even draw on my classmates’ jackets and textbooks, and they loved it! Later on, I pursued a Master’s degree in Illustration at Kingston University in the UK.

It seemed like a natural progression to embark on the path of creativity. There’s nothing more satisfying to me than unleashing my imagination. I want to share this gift with the world and paint what I think and feel.

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.

I was born in Taiwan and moved to the UK in my early twenties. Afterward, I lived in Brazil for a while (my husband is Brazilian), and now we have settled in Portugal.

My artwork is characterized by its vivid imagination and a touch of whimsy. Many of my pieces draw inspiration from my observations of everyday life, especially my passion for food. I have a strong affinity for using shades of blue and purple in my work, which adds a sense of mystery and depth to the compositions.

I offer custom illustrations where clients commission me to transform songs or stories into visual art. Helping people express themselves through art is a heartwarming endeavor. Additionally, I work on commercial illustrations, including packaging design, menu illustrations, and various printed materials (which is my primary source of income). On occasion, I also take on photography art direction commissions, utilizing my insights into composition and color to enhance communication between photographers and their clients.

Furthermore, I manage social media platforms where I share soothing and heartwarming posts through my illustrations. This is a personal project where I aim to create content that resonates with people’s emotions. I am a caring and empathetic person, and I hope that my artwork can touch hearts and provide comfort to those who view it. This brings me a great sense of fulfillment.

A few months ago, I welcomed my son into the world, which has inspired me to create children’s picture books. Currently, I am in the brainstorming stage for developing stories.

Many people have described my artwork as having a narrative quality and an atmosphere that brings comfort to others, which is precisely the impression I aim to convey.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

On the path of sharing my creations, I’ve discovered that eliciting resonance among the audience is a wondrous thing. These individuals write to me, expressing how they were moved or how they’ve reevaluated certain things. Such interactions are my enduring source of motivation. Each person’s time on this Earth may seem minuscule, yet in this limited time, touching hearts, even if it’s only a few people, imparts significance to these artworks and thoughts.

Additionally, I aim to promote environmental awareness. At times, I create a series of posts on how to practice environmental conservation, using illustrations to make this weighty subject intriguing. That’s the magic of art, transforming mundane matters into something captivating, something that compels people to look again and again!

Art is a kind of magical medium of communication, much like music and dance. Art transcends eras, languages, and borders. Throughout history, people have sought solace, expression, communication, and entertainment through art. I am deeply grateful to be a part of the creative world.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

There has been much discussion on how to increase followers online, but I’d like to explore the balance between living life and managing a social media platform. I used to spend a lot of time cultivating my audience on social media, checking my follower count daily. If it increased, I felt great, but if it decreased, I felt down, convinced I had done something wrong. These numbers controlled my daily emotions, affecting my productivity and creative direction. Should I sacrifice my style in pursuit of producing illustrations or articles that everyone likes? No, I told myself. Staying true to my own path is the best way to solidify my identity. I want people to recognize my work instantly when they see it.

Later, I realized that people unfollowing me didn’t necessarily reflect something I had done wrong; more often, it was a matter of their own preferences. When I stopped obsessing over follower counts, my daily emotional rollercoaster subsided.

Managing a social media platform in the beginning can be a process of being held hostage by numbers. If there’s a solution, I believe collaborating with other creators is a great way forward. Posting themed content series with fellow artists, raising your voice on a specific topic together, not only helps you find like-minded friends but also increases your reach through each other’s social media platforms. Moreover, focusing on worthy issues is beneficial to the world, and I think you’ll find great satisfaction in contributing positively to the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://amelianery.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adozenonions/