Born with a paintbrush in her hand and with visions set on high, Ambre Anderson was prepared to take the world by storm.  Bold as her palette choices and intense as her subject matter, this multi-faceted Renaissance woman has done it all including modeling, art directing her nursery school’s art projects and creating her now famous “Obama” t-shirts at the Democratic National Convention.  Armed with a B.F.A. from Howard University’s School of Fine Arts, a growing list of clientele and a portfolio to make her predecessors proud, Anderson has proven that humility and determination wins the race every time.

From the time I started painting to the present, my art has grown from a hobby to a career. I absolutely love art and did well with it all through grade school. But, when I went to college, I wanted to pick a more lucrative major. However, after being bored to tears with my business law books, I went to the Fine Arts department to see if the idea was even workable, since, I had already completed my first year there. After reviewing my portfolio, the dean of Howard University's Fine Arts department offered me a scholarship to switch majors. So, I figured what the heck! While in college, I spent far more time on art than ever before. I learned my weaknesses and how to perfect them. Techniques were revealed that I had never been introduced to before. I also found myself a big fish in a not so small pond anymore but I was still managing to swim towards the top. My strict art professors accepted nothing less than professionalism and my work reflected it. I received rewards, honors and a degree in Fine Art. After school, I still wasn't clear on exactly what to do with my degree but I kept painting and growing. After a while, I think I was just over people seeing projects I was working on and saying to me, “You've got to pursue this for real. What are you waiting for?”  So I decided to put together enough pieces to hold my first solo exhibit, launched my online art gallery (www.artworkbyambre.com) and the feedback I got from those initial responses still fuel me today. 

The very moment I knew I wanted to paint was before a time that I can even remember. My mom told me that, in nursery school, I would paint all the time. I would finish my little art project before everyone else, get up, and then walk around offering my advice to the other children. “No, that goes there,” or “You're doing good!” When you're that little, I guess the teachers let you get away with a lot as long as you're not biting anyone!

The decision to create my now famous “Barack Obama” -shirts and sell them at the DNC was actually derived from my father. He is an elected official in Maryland (my home town) and was selected to be a super delegate in Denver at the time. When he ran the idea by me, I thought it was great! I was stoked to be involved! I got on it right away, designing image ideas, meeting with mass production factories and bulk blank-tee-shirt companies, figuring out labels, working out the numbers, shipping, travel, and devising a plan for selling/ set up once I got there.  Designing the Barack Obama image on the t-shirt, was by far, the easiest step in the process. Completing the rest of the project was far more difficult because it involved so many aspects that were new to me. But, when the whole plan came together, it was more rewarding than I had imagined. I'll never forget: Things were looking a little scary with the tees on the last day of the convention. I was selling about 20 a day but I had 5 large boxes still up in my hotel room and I had barely sold all from the one suitcase I was pulling from. Then, with a last minute decision to move my operation to another spot as others were leaving it, things really picked up. My Obama-tees-table got ransacked! It was the best feeling in the world. People bought handfuls of them and came back for more. Line waiting etiquette went out the window as some customers actually skipped places and talked over each other to get their t-shirt order placed. Even a half dozen celebrities purchased tees. Before long, I had sold almost everything. And, the greatest, most humbling part of it all was how people exclaimed over and over that they really appreciated the artwork.

If I could describe my art I would say it is unlimited. I enjoy exploring, experimenting and keeping my options open. Sometimes I like to use bold colors and other times I'll switch to charcoal. When people tell me they recognize my style, it surprises me because I don't! I want to unravel as many artistic ideas that pop into my head and then I want to strategically piece them together and see what works. I see myself settling into a style once I've exhausted enough options to want to stay and work from that one specific expression. I guess it's kind of like I'm dating artistic styles before I marry one.

Brooklyn embodies so much for my artistry by being a great support system. Painting out in Prospect Park on a blanket in the summer is one of my favorite things to do. I love working on commissions at cafes along Fulton Street in Fort Greene or Bred-Stuy in Bed-Stuy.  People here often have no problems keeping you grounded with offering their opinion too: "That looks like Quincy Jones! Is that him?" and "That pencil is looking kind of small to me." And, of course, I'm obliged to the praise, which never gets redundant. The warehouse factories I utilize are right here. I also have a few artist friends in Brooklyn who are nothing less than inspiring. I'll go to their studios and learn from techniques I haven't tried and I will offer support in whatever way I can for what they're working on. I also had an exhibit out of my own studio on Bedford Ave. last year. Brooklyn is where it all comes together.

The Jeep National Campaign in which I portrayed a painter was exhilarating. I was initially booked for the print ad. Upon arrival, the casting director revealed to me that she had my composition card (modeling card...my other day job) on her desk for over a year waiting for the opportunity to call me. During the day of the shoot, the photographer directed me to act like was painting a jeep and not to worry because they would super-impose a real painting later for the ad. Half way through, the creative team was like “Wow, you're really painting a jeep!”  I was thinking, “Yeah so why not also utilize me for the artwork for this ad as well!” But, before I could offer it, they mentioned to me that they'd already hired someone to paint the jeep they were using in the ad. Already being blessed, I accepted the info and finished the day. At that point, the casting director mentioned, "We're going to do a network national commercial for jeep as well.  Since you really paint we think you should also be the lead so it's believable.” I didn't want to get too excited until it was really going down. When I got the call that it was really happening I remember jumping and jumping and jumping and spinning (laughing)! Looking back, the whole process still seems like a reverie. I don't think it really ever set in until the whole performance was over and I saw the 5 day shoot all come together on TV. Everyone I knew was calling me roaring, "We just saw you. That was right up your alley!"

Studying at the prestigious Fine Arts School at Howard University was the best time of my life. Right away, I had to get my priorities together. Howard had so much going on than I had ever seen, done or even heard of before I got there. There were groups, ciphers, and clubs for everything one could imagine, not mentioning friends and cuties. But I had to make good decisions with my time. I had to learn to have fun but work came first. They certainly don't hand out degrees without struggle and hard work and there would be no explaining to my parents why I flunked out of school.  I watched that happen to too many people who were chilling too hard and got caught up in the excitement; that would not be me. Curriculums were intricate, detailed, and voluminous, while many professors, while wonderful, were strict. And, the Fine Arts School seemed to have something to prove with the workload and ordinance. I remember one time getting a zero on a midterm exam project, that I had stayed up all night doing, for being 2 minutes late to class. However, the trials made me soar higher and go the distance to accomplish my objective.  Looking back, I earned my degree.

My reasoning for using dominant color is probably a reflection on me. I'm partial to bright and beautiful colors. Why not go with all shades of cream and then throw in one orange entity to liven things up?  I painted my living room. My bedroom is sea-foam green. Colors affect our mood. They reveal. They inspire and provoke action and emotion. People remember the exact color, down to the shade, that their significant other was wearing when they first met. It leaves an impression in their minds and artwork is no different. I create my pieces to be a journey in which one would want and would love to go on. Or a destination where I would like to be, somewhere electrifying. For me, subdued shades are more appreciated when feelings associated with bright colors, like ambition and desire, have been exhausted.

Receiving the Legacy Award from the Young Women of Distinction Organization in 2008 was a total surprise. I received a very sweet voicemail asking if I would mind being honored. The chief visionary officer of the organization in Waldorf, Maryland, Stefanie Magness, informed me that she had followed my work and had tracked my progress online. They chose women of distinction each year to honor, for young girls to look up to as role models. The Young Women of Distinction team believes in making the world a better place by focusing on our youth. I was really thankful and humbled by the entire affair.

The art of modeling entails far more than people assume. It is obtainable for almost anyone at any age (since every age has it's own product lines) if a few guidelines are followed; it's a business like any other. Get paid first, exposure second. Great representation is the mission even if it means diversifying and having several agents. Nothing is personal. There is no time for that. Always take and improve photo shoots; photos need to work for the model. There is no competition so stay focused on personal improvement. Research and talk to other successful models. While at castings and go sees, see what agencies are praised, frowned upon, new and etc. Find out what castings are coming up and where they are. Learn what jobs others have booked and why. Also, it is imperative to be ambitious, well spoken, professional and creative. Focus on your best features and camouflage your worst. Always reinvent looks until one shows the best response. Communicate with your agent(s) often.

The move to NYC from MD was an effort on my part to advance my career and my life. I was working a job that I had no passion for and I had just ended a two-year relationship with my boyfriend. So with no ties, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to go and pursue my dreams. Ironically, I hadn't the foggiest clue what that was going to be. I actually wanted to be a singer, but I knew it was going to be something artistic and in the entertainment field. One of my closest friends already lived in New York and had agreed to allow me to stay with her until I found a place. She lived upstate so my commute to the city was about an hour both ways. After about a month, I started working as a midnight shift, hotel operator at the W hotel. Then, I'd go to castings and auditions during the day. I'd work on collages and draw my co-workers children at the night job and sometimes I would even manicure their nails or sculpt their eyebrows. But eventually, my crazy schedule started to take a toll on me. After only being there a year and a half, I had to get surgery on my right wrist (luckily I'm left handed). But later, violent pains in my chest started developing that led me back to the doctor's office. After being referred to a cardiologist, she ran every test imaginable but could not find anything amiss. It turned out that my sharp attacks were due to sleep deprivation, which apparently, is more dangerous than I had realized. The dilemma was with both jobs I had been only getting 3-4 hours of sleep daily. I needed the steady paying job to support the dream career that wasn't lucrative at that time. especially since I had been living on my own at this point. Not long after that, by the grace of GOD, I booked my first big print campaign (Soft Sheen), which gave me freedom to leave the night job. And, I've been working for myself ever since.

My art influences include, Elizabeth Catlett, Michelangelo, Leonardo Di Vinci, Aaron Douglas, Romare Bearden, Kehinde Wiley, Jackson Pollack, and Luc Leestemaker, just to name a few. Each of these artists speak to me in regards to vision, style, genius, talent, and for being multi-talented. There are so many gifted artists, dead and alive, whom I find phenomenal in one way or another. It's easy for me to get animated about stumbling upon new artists and new perspectives.

My theory on art is that it should be inspiring and alluring. I prefer images that stimulate and encourage. In a world of setbacks and obstacles, it is helpful to be surrounded by pieces that can entice, uplift, or push the viewer along. For instance, the painting "Excuse Me Miss,” portrays the woman every man wants to procure at an entrancing affair. She has it all, breathtaking, confident and captivating. Eyes follow her every move. Even the spotlight is on her. But, despite the crowd, there is only one man she deems worthy and he's making his move. The piece formulates the fantasy of being that sought after creature, not to mention the lucky man she chooses. It's a glamorous night where everything is perfect, every demand is met and desires are fulfilled.

Through my art I wish to convey the social issues around me, express emotions of love, aggression, laughter, intimacy, magnetism, and pay tribute to family, culture and icons. I also want my viewer to feel and almost see the movement portrayed in each piece. For example, in "What Am I Gonna Do With THIS BOY,” a single mom holds her little son in her arms. He throws his head back and laughs hysterically. His hammy personality momentarily distracts her from her heavy responsibilities as she recognizes the reflection of herself in him. I think anyone with love for a child can relate. Just one smile from them warms your heart and you know it's all worth it. I want people to be able to relate to my artwork.

Five years from now, I would love to be a household name even if it's just in Brooklyn households. I think it's substandard that the average person can only name dead artists. I would love to change that. Hey, anything is possible.

Ambre Anderson
of www.ArtworkbyAmbre.com