Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Mandala.
Hi Aimee, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My story is anything but linear, although it did start that way. I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA, where subsequently I spent most of my adult life setting myself up for a career in the executive world. Once I achieved that goal, I realized I wanted more– needed more, rather. I have always been creative, but I found that with working full-time as a Chief Operating Officer for an architecture firm, volunteering on various professional boards, and raising two young, active boys, anything creative took a backseat. But one night towards the end of 2019, I had this insanely strong urge to draw. And not to just draw anything, but the dirty hand of a welder. Metal dust was spread into the crevices of that hand and what translated very clearly to me at the time, was this unbelievably admirable passion for the process of making—I thought it was so beautifully poetic. After working on the drawing for a month and a half, I declared it complete, looked at what I created, and thought, ‘Wow, I didn’t know I could do that!’ I really enjoyed it and was compelled to do more. And on Jan 1st, 2020, I made it a goal to pursue getting my work in a gallery. Fast-forward two years later, and I have since had 61 pieces in 35 exhibitions in 11 different galleries both locally and across the US, including the LA Art Show. Additionally, I have been featured in 6 publications, a guest on 4 artist podcasts, became a Program Artist at ShockBoxx Gallery in Hermosa Beach, had my first solo show at Studio 347 in San Pedro, curated an all-female art exhibition during Women’s History Month, co-curated/ juried a dozen or more exhibitions and became an approved member of the Los Angeles Art Association. To say I hit the ground running is an understatement. I think having a very clear set of goals found me propelling forward almost faster than even I was prepared for. And I’m still growing, learning, connecting the dots and ramping up for my next solo show in 2023.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I went through some pretty extreme personal life changes over this last year. In some ways, it has pushed me in my art. I’ve always been a glass-half-full kind of person, so I really have tried to focus on the good– on seeing how I can grow, nurture myself and those I love around me, and lean into the people and things that have filled my cup. I’ve also learned that balance (and SLEEP!) is absolutely necessary, and it’s okay to not do it all. I have come to believe that what is meant for you, will come with hard work, but it won’t kill you. I’ve been much better about prioritizing balance, taking a pause, and soaking up inspiration around me. Whether that be by spending time with my incredibly talented artist community, going to exhibitions, museums, or researching different and exciting approaches to translating my work in new ways. And lastly, (and maybe most importantly) believing in myself, because if you don’t believe in yourself or your work, no one will.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My start in the art world was ushered in with my figurative work, specifically a series of drawings celebrating the working hands of craftspeople, their gritty tools, and rugged workwear. I primarily used graphite and charcoal on paper. The medium lent to telling this story in a way that felt tangible and dramatic, making something that may otherwise be seen as simple and ordinary, as special. When I began drawing a few years ago, I was really intrigued by the process and fumbled my way through until I found a method that worked for me. Even though I challenged myself with technically intricate projects with each new piece, everything was planned, mapped out and I followed steps that took me to a consistently reliable outcome. In early 2021 I began exploring a looser approach to charcoal work in my MOODY series, which allowed me to put the ruler down, do a bit more feeling and little less thinking. It was liberating in every sense of the word. The unique pulse of this type of work had a pull that I couldn’t help but gravitate towards. Soon I found myself navigating ways to translate my love for detail into abstract forms that became uniquely my own. Currently, my favorite works are part of my HEART OPENER series. It has a lot of soul. Right now, that is where I am most excited– in the ever-intoxicating state of exploration.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Since a very young age, I’ve always spent a considerable amount of time writing. I was very satisfied sitting at a desk for hours writing letters, poems, and later essays. I received my bachelor’s degree in creative writing and as an adult, I’ve found ways to apply this skill to my career, whether it was through analyzing contracts, directing marketing efforts, or simply collaborating with my staff. In my art career, it has been vital in communicating who I am as an artist and sharing tidbits of my process, goals, and simply establishing a voice that rings true to me and my work. Recently I have found that I enjoy helping other artists share their story. I had the opportunity to manage and write for a 3-week pop-up exhibition that featured 73 artists. I selected artists to feature and curated an Instagram page with thoughtful posts highlighting their work while sharing a bit of their story and their process. It was eye-opening for me. Since then, I have written and edited artist statements for some local artists as well as synapses for specific series they are presenting to galleries and artist representatives. I found it to be a nice challenge and an enjoyable way to get into the minds of other artists, find what makes them tick, and soak up some inspiration from people driven to create art that is meaningful to them. I am looking forward to offering this as a service in the very near future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aimeemandalaart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_mandala_art/
