Daily Inspiration: Meet Mandee James

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandee James.

Mandee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed about being an artist. I loved to draw and doodle on my papers at school. This led me to find a love for charcoal and painting. My family was never supportive of me as an artist because I wouldn’t “make any money”. This was disheartening and discouraging. I stopped drawing for a long time until I had my daughter. She made me understand that life is too short to not pursue what you love.

I ended up going back to school for Graphic Design because I thought I needed to start somewhere. After 3.5 years of school, I realized I should just be painting and doing what I love instead of settling for another art form. I have been painting ever since and I’ll never look back.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am 30 years old, and just starting to get my art into the world. Of course, there have been struggles. Mostly internal struggles with self-confidence and depression, and other struggles of people telling me I’ll never succeed at creating art.

I understand that people get scared that they won’t make any money at it, but, for me, it isn’t about the money, it’s about creating something that resonates with others. I find it therapeutic to be creative and express myself in a way that I might not be able to with words. I enjoy being creative and making my own rules when it comes to my art, exploring what inspires me most.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My artwork is the product of experimentation, curiosity, and exploration. It is abstract, but also deeply personal, reflecting my journey, struggles and emotions. I am usually feeling lost in the process of painting, struggling to find a way out until that moment of clarity.

I often find myself spending hours in my studio on the weekends, just experimenting with acrylic colors, textures, materials, and styles, such as mixed media and modeling paste. I apply these techniques to my artwork to tell stories, which explore the depths of ideas beyond our physical reality.

As someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression, painting has helped me release those emotions. Each one of my paintings has an emotional bond, whether it’s frustration, happiness, or curiosity, and it makes me so proud that I was able to transform those emotions into a tangible, beautiful form of art.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The thing I love most about this city is the undeniable support from the community. There is so much support and love to give to artists. I love waking up and seeing the beautiful mountains outside my window. It is so serene and quiet. It puts me in the mood to paint and that’s all I can ask for.

Contact Info:

• Website: ArtByMandee.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbymandee
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtByMandee 

Image Credits
Lakeisha Bennett, Liana Mikah, Dedek Wijaya, and alexandercho