Meet Amanda Wolf: Muralist & Creative Marketer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amanda Wolf and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amanda, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
For me, becoming an artist had everything to do with my coming of age. It’s a lifestyle I grew into while moving through intense change in my late teenage years. I’ve come to understand that most people choose to become artists because it gives you a way to have absolute control over your own reality, if only for a moment. When things outside of me seemed out of my reach, I was always able to use art as a tool to empower myself to create something different. As I went through the typical hurdles and shifts of growing into a young adult – drawing and sketching became my way of integrating new experiences, and adapting to change. Things really took off for me when I moved from my hometown (Austin Texas) to Boulder, Colorado for school. Fast forward through my collegiant years ripe with adventure, naivety and wonder.  Simultaneously, I earned a Marketing degree and learned to balance my creative self with a more analytical, business minded perspective of life. As I matured and began to consider career, I began to connect the dots between business and art. I came to understand that owning a business can, in and of itself, be a creative endeavor. I decided then, that I did not want to be poor or starving in order to live my life as an artist.  Things have moved in such a whirlwind of simultaneous ease and endeavor for me since I transitioned out of college. I decided I would never compromise my freedom for security, and never actually pursued anything resembling a “real job”. I began working as a freelance artist and building myself up from scratch. This all brings me to where I am today – I am a full time creative entrepreneur, with many tools in my wheelhouse! My heart really shines in my mural work and paintings and I have been gradually easing into that more and more over the past two years. I simultaneously offer freelance creative marketing services which include graphic design, web design, marketing & branding. Between these two sides of myself, I feel thankful to strike a balance that works just right! 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a muralist and multidisciplinary artist based out of Denver. I absolutely love to collaborate with communities to create pieces that turn heads while simultaneously staying true to a unifying message. You’ll know it’s a painting by me if you see flowers, portraits, vibrant sunset pallets, circles or crossing & undercutting geometry! I paint a lot of ladies because portraiture is a fantastic way to tell a story. Often, I focus on an individual who is bringing positivity into the world. I absolutely love creating depictions of empowered, strong and impactful women. I consider it a great honor to immortalize people through artwork! Other times, I focus on a particular theme, story, or symbol in my work. Whatever lessons I may be integrating at any point in my life will show up on the canvas (or the wall)! Public art is a powerful way to connect communities and brighten lives, and I am passionate about sharing work that makes the world an easier place to live in. Of course it hasn’t always been easy to get here. I have run out of money more times than I can count and come into immense challenge navigating the personal barriers in naming and stepping into my power. As an entrepreneur, there is no space to second guess yourself. To be successful, you have to believe in yourself more than anyone else. You have to make them see it to believe it.  That sort of fierce devotion takes courage, resilience, and relentless faith. I’ve had to do a lot of work to build my confidence, assertiveness, and resilience. I’ve been blatantly rejected, made silly mistakes, worked towards so many opportunities that did not end up turning out, and have taught myself many so many skills from scratch.  I must be doing the right thing, because somehow it has always all worked out. And I’d say that would be the greatest lesson I’ve learned from my creative journey. It takes a perfect combination of discipline, fierce devotion, luck, and passion.. But it’s all worth it. And when running a business from a place of authentic enthusiasm and joy for the work you re doing in the world, there is a different sort of momentum that drives you towards success. It’s a balance. 50% soul, 50% hard work, and of course – the two are constantly intertwined.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Okay well, for the sake of this question I’m going to fantasize that we are in pre-covid times! 10/10 we would eat at the Butchers Block every single day. We’d have to go on lots of bike ride down cherry creek trail from my house. We could ride all the way down town and enjoy all the amazing murals along the path on the way. Can’t miss a day on S Broadway doing scavenger hunts in all the amazing antique shops. In this area, we’d have to have lunch at Grow Gather! They grow all their produce in house and have a little gift shop where you can grow amazing home grown mushrooms like oysters and lions mane. I could seriously live in this gift shop. Obviously we couldn’t miss going out in rino for a special guided mural tour by yours truly. We’d stop by Colorado Sake Co for the best Sake in Denver (and also to flex my murals on the interior and outside of the building course) and end the evening with happy hour tacos on the Los Chingones patio! We’d definitely have to go dancing at the Mercury Cafe one night. Botanic Gardens are a must.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shout out my boyfriend & best friend – AJ Davis! Aj is a prolific muralist and the founder of Project Street Gold, an artist collective and fine art initiative to commemorate legends of street art through cast bronze sculpture. He’s an inventor, a painter, a designer, and all around genuine & driven person. He taught me everything I know about spray paint and making it happen as a muralist, and I owe a lot to him! Shouts!

Website: amandawolfart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandawolf_art/