We recently connected with Amy Shamblen and have shared our conversation below.

Amy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One deeply underappreciated facet of being an entrepreneur or creative is the kind of crazy stuff that happens from time to time. It could be anything from a disgruntled client attacking an employee or waking up to find out a celebrity gave you a shoutout on TikTok – the sudden, unexpected hits (both positive and negative) make the profession both exhilarating and exhausting. Can you share one of your craziest stories?

The reach of my work in the most unexpected of places—still baffles me to delight.

Most recently, I was taking a cab home after seeing a Broadway show. On a whim, my friend was scrolling through the device that was available for customers to play games on. It was designed by a company that I’ll re-name here, “Penguin.” Apparently, the longer one plays these games, the greater the bonus that drivers are to receive. A pretty noble system.

Suddenly, I heard an exclamation from my friend. While gazing over the screen, I couldn’t believe my eyes—because it was one of my photographs! Next. Another… and another… and another.

By infusing elements of my previous works, Penguin created a picturesque game resembling the old-school “I Spy” books. While I was petrified by the unexpectedness of this phenomenon, it was also a gleeful sight.

My friend naturally turned and asked me furtively—“ooh, you gonna sue?”

I replied, “No.”

Some may perhaps disagree with me on this point, but here we go. My belief is that commercial art has the capacity to change society in an immensely impactful fashion. Perhaps even more so than fine art, which often exists within the bubble of the artist creating the work, tentative of an audience—as the artist does purely what they want. By contrast, commercial art is crafted with a homogenous attitude. With the pure intent of making a statement so direct, that it could be used to sell a product or service that forever would enhance the lives of the consumers benefitting from their use.

In this particular case, if my work is helping to not only entertain passengers, but also to help cab drivers all across USA make an extra buck or two—that is a “Mission Accomplished” in my books greater than any paycheck that Penguin can dish out.

But seriously, Penguin, maybe at least a gift bag? ;)

Amy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The genesis of my business is seeped in genuine naivety. The company that I was working for, fresh off of college, decided to lay me off. I recall that during my layoff call, I mentioned to my boss that I would now use this opportunity to start a company. I will never forget the sweetly sarcastic, “ahhh… have fun with that,” response I received. It still is stuck with me to this day.

With little experience in photography up until that point, I began taking pictures and posting them one-by-one, and uploading them on social media to market myself. I was soon building a following with my ultra-high energy and colorful photography style.

This popularity also allowed me to create my membership site, Shamblen Studios, which provides my unique image style in customizable mockups that any business, small or large, can use for their advertising, too!

To date, I have done work for many enterprises such as Dunkin’ Donuts, PepisCo, Benefit Cosmetics, and Too Faced. As Nike said—just do it.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice

Though my work exists primarily in the digital domain, that is in fact not the case. At the end of the day, my images are tied to tangible businesses and products that people will interact with. NFTs on the other hand exist purely in the ether. There is nothing to touch behind the art. I find them exploitative, and prone to excavating the worst parts of digital art.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I grew up in Ohio my whole life, so I never imagined leaving those desolate plains and farms.

But after 28 years, I decided to take a leap over to New York City—the place of my dreams.

It’s been 2 years and I have since learned so much. As the leaves of a life that I thought I had all figured out began to fall in a single swooping crescendo—as they did back in Ohio for me—I had no choice but to act. And act I did. So I took my chance and came to New York City, all on my own (plus two beautiful, yet neurotic Shih Tzus).

It is the best decision I have ever made. Something I contemplate about every time I walk my babies to Tompkins Square Park.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shamblenstudios.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamblenstudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shamblenstudios

Image Credits
Amy Shamblen Creative & Shamblen Studios