Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Andrea Doss. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Andrea, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Being creative is not just a skill, it’s a habit. Over the years of being a studio artist I have developed a routine that helps me get the creativity going. Every day I start with a cup of coffee, a pencil and a sketchpad, then let the ideas flow freely for ten minutes. No rules, No limitations. What I end up on my paper isn’t always a masterpiece, but it is definitely “creative.”
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I have my dream job: I make art. While the medium I use varies, the art I create always tells a story; and, sometimes, like this past year when I worked on several book projects, illustrates a story. I work with a book agent, several galleries, licensing agencies and run my own art shop online. It keeps me busy, but it’s a good busy doing something I absolutely love.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The most important thing to do as an artist is to put your work out there. If it’s not out there, it won’t be seen. If it’s not seen, you will be missing out on so many opportunities. I can’t tell you how many times my art being visible online has turned into an amazing stepping stone in my art journey. Another important thing to remember is to make art. That sounds simple, but it isn’t always easy to be creative because life gets in the way. You need a large body of work to show the world and say “Hey! This is me!” Lastly, and this one can be really hard for us creative types, try to stay organized. It’s one thing to make art, it’s another to be able to find out where you put it when you need it. This is especially true for me when it comes to photographs of my artwork.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I live in small town America, and I love it here, but it is a huge challenge when it comes to cultural and art related topics. Currently, I am teaming up with other local artists and creatives to make art more impactful in our community. We are hosting monthly art shows, painting group murals and encouraging young artists to get involved.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.andralynncreativedesigns.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/andralynncreativedesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/andralynncreativedesigns
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/andralynn
