Meet Amanda Fenker

We recently connected with Amanda Fenker and have shared our conversation below.

Amanda , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

For me imposter syndrome was one of my biggest hurdles and can still often show up as a little voice saying “what if you mess this up in front of everyone?” Painting and sharing artwork is already such a vulnerable state to put yourself in, but live painting in front of so many people at weddings was absolutely terrifying in the beginning. The first time I was asked to do this, I gave a hard no. There was no way I was good enough to do that. But then I started to question why I wouldn’t at least try? A hard no felt like a fear response and I had a need to prove to myself that I could conquer this fear and make sure I didn’t like it – I was certain I wouldn’t. So I offered to do my first live wedding painting ever for free, and to my shock, I loved it. To the guests and the couple, I was an expert even though I felt like a fraud. I overcame imposter syndrome by remembering that couples weren’t hiring me to be perfect, they had a photographer for that. They were inviting me to be present, creative, and to capture their joy. Each event became less about proving myself and more about celebrating love through real live art. The more I leaned into that, the quieter the imposter voice became.

I learned to see imposter syndrome not as proof that I didn’t belong, but as proof that I was growing. Every time I set up my easel at a wedding, I was doing something bold, vulnerable, and exciting. Instead of letting fear paralyze me, I reframed it: if I’m nervous, it means I care. I want to give my couples the absolute best of me and imposter syndrome is just a reminder of that. That shift helped me paint with more freedom and connect more deeply with the people in front of me. I definitely still get nervous. There’s a time in every painting where it’s in an ugly stage and I think, what on earth am I doing here?! But that first brushstroke that gets me moving past the ugly stage feels like one of the best endorphine rushes! I often find myself doing a little dance with my brushes in hand when I see the moment when the painting is developing in a beautiful way.

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?

I’m a live wedding and event painter, which means I get the joy of setting up my easel right in the middle of a celebration and capturing the day as it unfolds. What excites me most is the energy — the music, the laughter, the love all around, it becomes part of every brushstroke and becomes a moment preserved in time through a painting. The painting is more than art; it’s a living memory, captured vibrantly and spontaneously, that couples can cherish for generations. My brand, By Amanda Fenker, is about finding beauty in this life and creating joy through art. Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on a new expressionist figure collection, which I’m very excited to share soon.

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?

Looking back, three qualities that shaped my journey most were courage, adaptability, and persistence. Courage got me to set up my easel in front of a crowd the first time and continues to do so. Adaptability helped me work with all the unexpected things that happen during live events. And persistence, or really, practice, practice, practice, is what allowed me to grow my skill and confidence over time. For anyone starting out, my advice is: don’t wait until you “feel ready.” Start where you are, show up consistently, and let practice be your teacher. And then practice some more.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely! Collaboration makes everything more powerful, and I love collaborating. Currently that often means with my couples, wedding planners and venues, but I would also love to start working with interior designers for my expressionist studio collection. Wedding planners and venues are such natural partners since we share the goal of creating unforgettable celebrations. And I am so excited by the prospect of collaborating with interior designers, my art can become part of the spaces they design in fresh and exciting ways. If you’re interested in collaborating, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website www.amandafenkerart.com

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Aubrey Elizabeth Photography

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