Meet Amara Gardner | Illustrator and Visual Artist

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

Hi Amara, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I was raised to be driven, to be hard-working, and to grind. However, after working for almost a decade doing work that ended up being unfulfilling just to get by, I realized I had to find what would bring me joy. I had to make sacrifices to make my way to become a working artist. Even still, I realize that knowing your own priorities is a path that can lead to happiness.I appreciate having time throughout the days to be outside and having lots of time to live slowly and intentionally within my community, so I minimize expenses and focus on enjoying the present moment with people. That’s not to say I don’t have long-term goals, but I am willing to get there at a slower pace than our culture dictates. I think knowing yourself is the key to finding a work-life balance.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Although I’m a late bloomer, I’ve spent a long time preparing myself to be successful as an artist. I’m interested in illustration specifically, with a focus on the natural world and how people are all intertwined with it. I’m proud to say that I’ve stepped off the beaten path once or twice, and it has given me a totally fresh and new perspective on the beauty of life. This shows through the paintings I create, the murals I have made, and the stories that are told in my illustrations.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Good thing I’ve had this experience! When my friends come to Denver, I have to show them the murals in RiNo, the art district on Broadway, and the north side by the river where the flagship REI is. If we have a few days, I like to take them on a hike near Golden, and we’ll walk around quite a bit. I’d take them on a trip to the zoo, Nature and Science Museum, Botanic Gardens, and Art Museums. For a more funky time, there is a Selfie Museum, Optical Illusion Museum, and of course Meow Wolf! My favorite area to walk around is near Sloan’s Lake, which has great sunsets and bird-watching. I’ve taken friends to concerts, parks, restaurants, quaint little shops, and tattoo parlors! There is always something to do around here.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout my parents, they have always been extremely supportive throughout my life. They encourage me every step of the way and give me advice on how to be true to what I believe. Part of what I do is inspired in a big way by my mom, who is an artist. She has given her four kids everything and in doing so, has given up a big part of herself. I want to thank both my mom and my dad for their never-ending support, mentorship, love, and encouragement.

Website: https://www.amaragardnerart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amaragardnerart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amara-gardner/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK8jrkahSJK1ZZVC-9EAs_A

Image Credits
Emma Pion-Berlin