Today we’d like to introduce you to Amara Gogia.
Hi Amara, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Doodling has always calmed my mind. When I was a little kid, arts and crafts were always my favorite way to pass the time. Whether it was colored pencils, sparkly pens, markers, or paint, I didn’t care, as long as I was creating things and making a mess. Bringing a sketchbook and my favorite pens along with me anywhere I went was vital, and still is for me today. In high school, I was in a few higher-level art classes, where I had the freedom to start developing my own vision. My work was displayed in art exhibits and art fairs multiple times which amplified my desire to make more art. In college, I used my free time to doodle, but this time taking it a bit more seriously. I started painting on canvas and completing pieces that were for myself and fully delved from my mind. I started sharing my work online and in-person and realized other people resonate with my creations. I spend countless hours on each piece, making each one unique and funky to its own personality. Since then, I have started live painting at multiple events and shows. I also started making and selling my jewelry with polymer clay, beading, and wire wrapping. Most recently, I have taught myself how to crochet as well and have been making fun accessories that can be adorned by all kinds of people. I vend at events occasionally, where I sell prints, stickers, and magnets of my artwork as a way to share and profit off of my work. I currently work at Painting with a Twist as an artist instructor in Daytona Beach, FL. I am a guide, as I take people step by step through elegant and fun acrylic paintings in classes about 2 hours long. It is humbling, rewarding work! Of course, I am still creating my own artwork as well, completing commissions, and making more jewelry daily. It is so important to me that I stay creative! Otherwise, I would go crazy. Or maybe I already am…
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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I am very blessed, as I have always had the support from my family and friends. I have access to resources and the ability to create, which this fact alone makes me very lucky! I have, however, struggled with depression throughout my time, and it is still a daily struggle. I very easily get overwhelmed and overtired. I tend to overthink my art and have a pessimistic point of view toward society, humanity, and the state of our earth. I am constantly checking myself and realizing just how beautiful this life can be. Art is one of the only things to get me through the lows as I don’t know where I would be or what I would be doing if I did not have the means to create in my life. I am grateful for the lows because some of my best work has come out of feeling dark. I am still finding my way through and I am still trying to find my place in this life. I want to gain more exposure and be more immersed in the art world, but I really struggle with the business side of things, as an artist tends to do. I struggle with focus and tend to work on many things all at once, and this is not always the most productive way. I want to be more involved in artistic activities and festivals because I am realizing apart from this being my passion, I want to be a part of a community, too. This, for me, is a challenge, but I realize wherever I put my focus and energy, that is where action occurs. I find that getting myself “out there” is a little intimidating, but I am trying to focus on growth. I am inspired daily and am gaining confidence to start a new life for myself.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
With the use of vibrant colors and tight detailed patterns, my artwork has a psychedelic essence to it. I often incorporate hidden elements, faces, and stories behind each piece. Most of my art is freehand, which I believe makes for some unique visual stimulation and cognitive therapy. The most common word I hear when people describe my art is ‘trippy’. The more you look into my work, the more you will see. Often times people see my art and ask if I used a template or a digital program, but the answer is always no. I love soft blends and lots of colors. Color therapy is big for me. I use color as it speaks to me, flowing from one shade to the next, listening closely. Many times, one color tells me where to go with the next one. It feels like my own adventure and really calms my soul. Each piece is unique and will never be created again because it is formed in the moment, I had that spark of creation. Some of my work may appear very bright and cheery, or soft and calming, where other pieces have a dark energy to them. I am heavily influenced by my inner feelings, music, my environment, and sacred geometry. My favorite mediums to work with are ink, watercolor, and acrylic. I often make the drawing first and then go in with color to give it some life. I also keep some drawings in black & white as well if that’s the mood it calls for. My drawings come from my head…most the time I do not like to look at a reference while creating unless I am drawing a specific animal or flower or something that requires actuality. Overall, though, I enjoy using my imagination for whatever quirky, weird creatures I come up with. It is all in the moment. I am also inspired by the patterns and colors of nature and animals, meditation, and symmetry. Indian art and its colorful culture have had a significant influence, as it is part of my identity. Art for me is a means to explore, express, and vent. Drawing and painting have now become a meditative practice that has allowed me to reach a higher state of being when in flow state.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned is to just keep going. Never stop creating. It is so easy to get in my head and get down on myself about all the things that could go wrong or feeling like I’ll never be good enough. It is so easy to compare myself with all the other amazing, talented artists that exist in this world and think, why even bother? But, here’s the thing, no one is me. No one has my mind. I have learned that I am powerful and I can create change, influence, and inspiration, just as others have done for me. Everyone has a place at the table and everyone brings something a little different. That is what I love about art. You have the complete freedom from start to finish because you are in control. It fully derives from your imagination, patience, and trust. It is so inspiring to see so many different forms of creation that exist among us in this lifetime. I choose to be inspired instead of defeated. I choose love and acceptance. Of course, there are times I still feel doubt, I am not always happy with my work or just life in general. But the most important thing is to never give up. I am unique and talented and so are you. I have something to offer, and so do you. I have to remind myself why I even started making art in the first place… and that’s because it felt good and freeing. I go back to find that feeling when I feel lost.
Pricing:
- Prints- $15.00
- Polymer Clay Necklaces- $35-50
- Crochet Earrings- $25-35
- Stickers- $5
Contact Info:
- Email: amaragogia@gmail.com
- Website: flowfrommars.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowfrommarss/
Image Credits
Victoria Sunmoni
Bambi Nicole
