We recently connected with Amanda Coelho and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Amanda with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I started working at age 14 – not typical babysitting or neighborhood odd jobs, but a behind-the-counter job at a locally owned pharmacy. Let’s just say I had an early penchant for brand name clothing (darn you Jordache and Sergio Valente!) and my parents weren’t willing to support that habit. So I learned the value of an earned dollar from a young age. I continued to work at different jobs throughout high school and college – I really loved being part of a team (and the extra cash!).
After graduating college, I worked for a friend at their family-owned translation company for 7 years. It was there that I learned when you care about the people you work with/for, you want to put your best foot forward. And there is a benefit to employer/employee trust and loyalty.
Although I cared about the people I worked with, I realized I had no connection to the business, and it was time to move on. I joined Honest Tea, a local beverage company, because I loved the product and mission. I was hired as the Office Manager, a position I was overqualified for, but it was a way to get my foot in the door. I was exposed to all aspects of the business, including working directly with their graphic design agency – and something clicked. Shortly thereafter I approached the CEO with the idea that if he purchased design software, I would learn it on my own time and would then be able to make edits to labels and create other marketing materials which would save him money on a design agency. A year later I was the in-house graphic designer, a job I held for 17 years.
All of these experiences taught me that hard work and loyalty pay off, as I continue to have ongoing personal and work relationships with both of these previous employers, even now that I am self-employed.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
While painting is taking up more of my time each year, I continue to do graphic design with T Creating Co., a boutique design agency formed by a former Honest Tea colleague. We focus on the food & beverage and hospitality industries with expertise in package design.
My love for fine arts has always informed my work but I was always looking for other ways to express my creativity. In 2018 I had a yearning to do something away from the computer, creatively. Inspired by my sister-in-law who is an accomplished painter, I bought some acrylic paints and a few canvases and began to paint. Later that year I tried oil paint and was immediately hooked – the ease of blending lends itself to my realistic style. I’ve since taken a few classes at a local atelier to learn more about materials and techniques, and continue to learn through artist friends, social media, and experimentation.
I began selling my work during Covid through social media. I have exhibited at dozens of shows, both local and national, and have gallery representation in Washington DC and Nashville, TN. I am currently focused on exploring new subject matter, and having some sort of daily painting practice.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
‘Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life’. This quote is the best piece of advice I’ve heard and can give. You will NEVER pour your heart into something you don’t care about. Find the thing you’re good at, and enjoy doing, and do it for other people.
Don’t be scared to share your talents with others – whether it’s art, ideas or knowledge. We all learn from putting ourselves out there, and being vulnerable doesn’t mean being weak. You might not always get the feedback you want to hear, but chances are you will learn from it. And you will probably teach others along the way.
Lastly, surround yourself with people who support you and to whom you can relate. I started painting at age 47, and at age 52 I have a whole new group of friends. Being an artist isn’t as scary when you have a daily group text with other women artists that are doing it too. We share our wins and rejections, our fears and frustrations, we bounce ideas off each other, and always, always, share our daily menopausal symptoms! I’m also lucky to have non-art friends and family who have always been supportive of my dreams – whether it’s providing constructive feedback, helping me hang an exhibit, or brainstorming painting names, they are here for it all.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I think my biggest obstacle right now is my artwork reaching the right audience. The easiest way to reach people these days is via social media, but my social presence is a work in progress. I think social media is a necessary evil in the creative world. It’s a great place to showcase your work, but you have to feed the algorithm to reach the right followers. There are so many artists that do it so well, but I would much rather focus on creating the art than posting about it. My dream would be to hire a social media manager, but I’ll need to sell a few more paintings first!
Contact Info:
- Website: amandacoelhoart.com
- Instagram: @amandacoelhoart
