We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Andrea Merican a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Andrea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I recently completed my largest body of artwork with over 40 paintings depicting a very significant time in my life where a lot of change was occurring. Through the medium of abstract watercolor and oil paintings I was able to process my feelings, emotions and thoughts over the course of a 2 year period of time, which resulted in an incredible solo show that opens on September 15th in Scottsdale AZ. The show is called Metamorphosis.
My artistic journey with this particular body of work began in 2021 when I ventured into the realm of abstract watercolor. For an entire month, I challenged myself to create one abstract piece every day. This experience allowed me to dive deeply into my creativity, tap into my intuition, breaking free from the restrictions of realistic representation. Some paintings were created very quickly, while others involved more extended sessions.
During this time, I explored emotion and feeling in my artwork and found that I was expressing visually what was going on in my life. As 2021 transitioned into 2022, I faced an incredibly challenging year on a personal level. External pressures enveloped me, and I found release solely in the sanctuary of my studio. It was there that I began to explore oil paint mixed with cold wax on wood panels, utilizing an array of new tools. These techniques enabled me to create captivating textures, patterns, and expressive mark making.
The resulting works became some of the most cathartic and emotionally charged pieces I have ever produced. Over the past two years, I have created over 40 paintings that document my journey as both an artist and a human. Each painting reflects a step in my evolution.
My intention is for you, the viewer, to find a connection with one or more of these works—pieces that speak to something within your own soul. Through the medium of art, I experienced an incredible transformation. My hope is that these paintings open you to your own metamorphosis.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I have been an artist as long as I can remember. My mom took a photo of me at age 3 with my drawing of a duck on a chalkboard and from that point on, there was always a crayon, pencil, or piece of chalk in my hand so I could draw anywhere and everywhere.
All throughout my school years, all I wanted to be was an artist. I got a scholarship to the Rocky Mountain School of Art and Design and after graduation moved to Denver, CO to attend. It was an amazing experience being around like-minded and so many talented students all pursuing their dreams of art.
Life took many twists and turns and I was not able to complete my education at art school. I moved home to AZ and took as many art classes as I could at the local community colleges and ASU. Even while working full time jobs and trying to make ends meet, art was my continual focus and my driving passion.
Eventually I started taking classes from art professionals at the Scottsdale Artists School. It was there I discovered my love of watercolor. In 2011, I decided to dedicate an entire year to learning the discipline of watercolor and did not allow myself to work in any other medium. This became a significant decision and grew into a 10 year non-stop pursuit of creating watercolor paintings and making art a more important part of my career by selling at different shows, fairs, festivals and galleries.
The backstory to this amazing journey, is that I have always been an entrepreneur and have discovered that I am a multi-passionate business owner who is able to make it work. Along with being an artist, I am a real estate broker and a business coach. While these three pursuits may sound disconnected, they are indelibly intertwined. The key that holds all three together, is that I am a natural problem solver. So whether I am resolving an area of a painting that remains unfinished, or working through a client’s business challenge, my brain loves to come up with creative solutions.
I wanted to share my backstory with the reader, because I think very often as creatives we assume, we have this talent, so it should be the number one pursuit of our lives and we should be able to make a full time living at that pursuit. In reality, sometimes that is not the case, and that is OK! We are allowed to be creatives in many different aspects of our lives, not just as a full-time income earner. I encourage people to pursue their dreams and passions in whatever way suits their life and not what others expect it be.
I now happily work in all 3 areas of real estate, coaching and painting and I have never been happier in my life!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I think my entire life has been a series of unexpected pivots. I have learned the art of resilience well! When I first got into art school, I assumed I would move to Denver, graduate and find some amazing career as an artist that paid me well and that would be the end of the story. Nothing happened the way I imagined. I had to move back to AZ and work minimum wage and take art classes one at a time on the side. I honestly couldn’t see how artists could make a living, especially for a painter, like me. There were plenty of years I lost hope.
My second pivot was to build an online business that had nothing to do with art. I sold home theater projection screens for 7 years and made amazing money while painting in my free time.
My third pivot was when I had to shut that business down and I got my real estate license. I joined a small start-up real estate investment company and learned a whole new industry I knew nothing about.
There have been several more pivots within the real estate field over the last 16 years including getting my broker’s license and helping start and build several more companies.
Behind the scenes I was growing my art business and having fun pursuing my dreams on my own time. I was traveling the world with my husband and investing in our own properties.
My most recent pivot was in 2022 when I realized that I wanted to help other entrepreneurs grow their businesses by sharing my 20 plus years of knowledge and I became a business coach. This has become the most rewarding and amazing experience and I absolutely love helping my clients build businesses of their dreams!
I’d love to say to anyone reading this, don’t be afraid to pivot. It doesn’t mean you failed. It doesn’t mean you chose the wrong path. It is all a natural part of life, especially as an entrepreneur. The pivots can make your ultimate road even more clear, so embrace them and see where they take you!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
I love reading. I have shelves in my home office and my art studio loaded with books that have literally changed my life.
Here are just a few:
Atomic Habits, by James Clear. This book will help you build better habits and improve your life exponentially.
You are a Badass by Jen Sincero. This book will empower you to step into a greater version of yourself.
Grit by Angela Duckworth. This book will give you the courage to keep going no matter what.
Mindset by Carol Dweck. This book will revolutionize the way you perceive failure and growth.
Girl, wash your face by Rachel Hollis. This book will break down pursuing your dreams and goals in a practical way.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. This book is essential for every artist.
Getting Things Done by David Allen. This book gave me the road map for efficiency which I use daily and teach to my clients.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. This book kick started my entrepreneurial journey many years ago.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. This book is such a treasure, I read it again every few years.
Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon. This book is great for new artists starting out.
When I was first pursuing art as a career there were nowhere near the amount of resources available out there. Books were the best place to start. But now there are blogs, podcasts, Youtube channels and online courses. I think this is an amazing time to be a creative because you have so much inspiration and guidance at your fingertips and much of it is free.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://andreamericanart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreamericanart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andreamericanart/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-merican-coach
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa4HOzi42ZfIMdohHzM2pmA
Image Credits
Stephanie Ringleb Photography (www.stephanieringleb.com)