Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Semler.
Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been drawing comics ever since I was probably five years old or less, who knows, but I never thought that my passion for my craft would make me feel so comfortable being myself.
I had always sought after working in a “fancy” coffee shop in a city, spreading love to the community around me, and letting my love for life gel into my comics; I’ve always wanted to be known for my love of stories. Being from a small southern town, people around me would always say, if I moved to the city, I would just be a starving artist; how would I ever put myself up. I was always afraid of being a ‘starving artist’ when I was coming up, so I always kept my grades up in school. Because of that, I was able to get enough scholarships and financial aid to get my broke-ass into SCAD.
Going to art school really helped me realize the message I’m trying to put out with my art and gave me an invaluable education. Through my sequential art classes, one thing I saw was that the famous storytellers and cartoonists have very recognizable visual styles. I learned that I needed to have a very distinct visual style and I needed to stretch my artistic boundaries. I have always struggled with being my true self 100% of the time, but I also think that it’s really important as an artist to be transparent and vulnerable to the world around you. I’ve always been told that I have a very unique style, but I think that comes with trying to keep myself transparent; I try my best to express myself fully at all times of the day, always being the artist that I wish to be, and nothing else.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve always given my energy and love to my friends and family, but sometimes these peoples’ psyche will become your enemy without realizing it. The bad energy of toxic distractions has been a real struggle for me to deal with because I love meeting new people. Because of these toxic distractions, and even disruptions of my loved ones, I’ve felt my art go on the back burner from time to time. Life is full of distractions, and I’ve battled with learning how to deal with them. I’ve learned how to love distractions.
Some people end up wasting their time, realizing they’re wasting their time, and then getting mad about it. An endless loop. Sure, there have been times when I felt like I was going through too much shit, that I would never get out of the hole I was in, that I would be so depressed that I didn’t want to work on my art. Sometimes, all the distractions become TOO overwhelming, but I have to remind myself of how good it feels to put pen on paper, how good it feels that I can express myself however I want, and all these interferences in my life make my art better. All these experiences add up and create you and the art you make.
A. Semler Art – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from others?
I opened my business last year, called A. Semler Art. I primarily paint cartoons, and began publishing my comic series last year, titled ‘Yeti or Not’ (which you can read at bit.ly/readasem). I use a lot of ink and watercolor, but I use a lot of ink wash for my comics and do some paintings on wood panels occasionally, too. I am super proud that I am able to publish my series and run myself as a business. Like I said before, I like to keep myself super transparent as an artist. I have had a few convention tables in the past year but would like to start working on a new schedule for myself between me and my day job, so that I can start having booths at festivals, and travel to more comic conventions around the states so that my stories can reach more people.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success for me is when I am progressing and exploring my style while creating as much as possible. I feel successful so far but there is so much more to be done; I’ve sold all the print copies of ‘Yeti or Not’ issue 1 and 2 in the past year. I am so glad that people are enjoying my comic so far, it feels great that people are asking for more, I just gotta make these comics faster!
Pricing:
- Yeti or Not Issue 1 and 2 ($5/each) (Currently sold out)
Contact Info:
- Website: bit.ly/readasem
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asemlerr/
- Other: bit.ly/buyasem
Image Credit:
The photo of me at my art booth is by Phillip Jones
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