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

Alright, Erica-Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Painting was something I started doing in 2020 just as a hobby. Id work full time at my regular job and come home everyday to paint. As time went on, I noticed my skills were improving over the course of a year which lead to selling quite a few pieces that I did out of pure fun. Soon after I started getting commission work I figured, Why not pursue my childhood dream further?

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?

My name is Erica-Michelle Amador, I’m a visual artist born and raised on the North side of Houston, Texas. I’m a single mother of 2 handsome boys who keep me VERY active. So with not having the luxury of a second provider for my children I knew I needed to make a change. Growing up dealing with my parents separation, I knew I didn’t want my kids to experience a lot of the struggles I had to go through at their age. That motivation alone made me become more disciplined with life and my craft. Before making the change, I had put my dreams and wants on hold for many years. It was as if a switched flipped inside of me and said “Stop being afraid and follow your path”.

My work consists of fan art, portraits, and originals on canvas done with acrylics, oils, and other mixed media. Most of my work is focused on a commission based at the moment. And on my creative down time I’m always studying my craft looking where I can improve. Even though I’ve been painting for about 4 years now, I’m a self taught artist so I don’t necessarily have a style.

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?

I often get asked “Why do you love art so much?” And my answer follows with this: I strongly believe that the creative journey is a path to self discovery. A calling whispering into your ear trying to guide you to your Voice. To who you’re meant to be. This is where I feel Art and life in general goes hand in hand. You take this long path in life in hopes of discovering your happy ending. But be aware you will go through struggles and tribulations. Its the same with art. You work on improving your skills, sharpen the ones that are weak. Figuring out what you’re good at and what you don’t like. Its hard labor on yourself. Because truly your best work is when YOU are thrown onto the canvas. Allowing yourself to expose who you really are. But do you know who you really are? As you grow old and grey, you’ve changed. you’ve grown wiser, some habits may have changed, you’re taste buds are different. Your interests have changed. For me Art is simply a beautifully documented representation on ones journey through life.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Im big on reading. Listed below are books that helped me with discipline, business, and way of thinking.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Shut Up and Listen by Tilman Fertitta
Steal Like An Artist series by Austin Kleon
Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly
Ignore Everybody by Hugh Macleod
Cant Hurt Me by David Googins
Three Magic Words by U.S. Anderson

Contact Info:

• Website: https://instabio.cc/EricaMichelle
• Instagram: @im.ericamichelle
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artbyericamichelle?mibextid=LQQJ4d