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

Hi Madison, how do you think about risk?
In my opinion, risk is a necessary part of success. Becoming a professional artist is full of risks from start to finish, from giving yourself enough time to focus on projects to making investments for your craft. It’s all risky, but without risk, your efforts wouldn’t have the chance to pay off.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I‘ve been an illustrator since I was old enough to pick up a pencil, but my Instagram account started out as a way to catalogue my own artistic style. I never guessed it would grow into what it is today, or that I’d have my own website selling art! This journey wasn’t easy by any means; I’ve been through a lot of criticism from others and myself, and putting yourself out there creatively is a very vulnerable and scary thing. But it’s taught me how to have confidence in my work, and how important it is to take risks and give yourself a chance to make your dreams a reality. I couldn’t be more thankful for it. I’m incredibly proud to have worked with brands like Urban Outfitters, Madewell, and Levi’s in the last couple of years!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
My favorite area of Denver is easily the Santa Fe Arts District – it’s got tons of incredible galleries showcasing local artists, and the First Friday events are a blast. ESP HiFi is right in that area – it’s my go-to spot for drinks and a nice, super-relaxing vibe.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I can’t thank enough for where I’m at today. I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the amazing team at the Art Garage, a nonprofit in Park Hill that provides art education for all ages. I’ve loved teaching with them this last year, and they’ve taught me the magic of bringing art into people’s lives through teaching!

Website: madisonsinsel.com

Instagram: instagram.com/artbymss

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.