Meet Andrea Ehrhardt, a thriving professional painter who enjoys using Arteza Acrylics for her artwork. She has been passionate about art since she was a kid and now gets to live her dream of being a full-time artist. Andrea likes to paint wildlife and nature with highly saturated colors to capture the essence of the powerful animals that are the subject of many of her pieces. Read more to learn about Andrea and her journey as an artist.

- Hi, Andrea. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in the middle of nowhere Missouri and have since traveled to numerous countries exploring and creating art. I'm living my dream of being a full-time artist and want to help other potential artists achieve the same dream

- What is your main media and why?

I always paint with acrylics mainly because I'm not patient enough for oils. The faster I can complete a large painting the happier I am with it.

- How long ago did you start painting? Do you have a story behind it?

I've always been interested in art since I was a kid and started painting full time professionally about 5 years ago. For a long time, I thought being a professional artist wasn't attainable. I studied business at Missouri State University and quickly switched my major to painting as soon as I realized that was a possibility. After college, I started painting for businesses like Bass Pro Shops. I traveled all over North America painting their logos and murals for a few years and still do work for them regularly.

- Are there any interesting facts about your art?

I've gotten to the point where I have consistent work and don't have to worry about trying very hard to fill my schedule. It hasn't always been this way and I know all too well what it's like to be an aspiring artist hoping to make art a career. Lately, my focus is set on helping those aspiring to be full-time artists.

- Is there any genre or movement that you can associate your art with?

I definitely prefer nature or wildlife art over most others. Portraits of people are just not my thing. I've always leaned towards highly saturated scenes over the naturalist theme. I started by painting realistic animals thinking that's what everyone wants to see but recently have stepped into my own by adding pops of color where they don't belong. If I want to paint a purple penguin, then I'll paint a purple penguin and not worry about if that's the "appropriate" thing to do. If I think a gorilla should be green then green he shall be. I hope to lead by example and inspire other people to step into their own and embrace their own personal style.

- Of all the animals you draw, do you have a favorite texture to illustrate? What have you found to be the most challenging?

I love to paint big, powerful animals. Elephants, tigers, lions, etc.. I feel like they provoke a big reaction and adding rainbow colors just makes it even better.

- What do you find the most challenging about the creative process?

Finishing paintings! It's all fun in the beginning and then several hours go by and it gets less and less interesting. The challenging part is having enough self-discipline to finish something before I start another seemingly more exciting painting.

- Favorite Arteza product and why?

I love the Arteza Acrylics because they have a smooth texture and beautiful color variety.

- What are your future art goals?

I paint photo of angel wings so my future plans are to paint one in 20 countries and on all 7 continents. Next up is Iceland.

- We know that you have an upcoming book, and would love to learn more about it!

I'm currently creating a how to paint book and tutorials to help artists with different business elements. I just started a group called the Artist Academy where I share these tutorials and do group motivational challenges. All artists are welcome to join.