Don't Give Up On Your Dreams!
Don’t Give Up On Your Dreams!
By Amy Boardman | February 26, 2023
Blog: Amy’s Palette Perspective
Amy Boardman’s journey to becoming an artist began at a young age. She loved to explore the outdoors with her family on visits to her grandparents. She was mesmerized by the coal shed, the cow pasture, and the hay bales that allowed her to leap from one to the other. But it was at the dinner table in her grandparents' home where her love of art was cultivated. She was intrigued by the sketches her father had done when he was a teenager, which her grandparents kept tucked away in a drawer. Amy was captivated by the scenes of cars and other images her father had drawn. She wanted to learn to draw just like him, and it was at that moment that she discovered her love for art, and a seed of becoming an artist was planted.
Amy Boardman had a beautiful childhood growing up in Southern Illinois surrounded by farmland and the countryside. Every spring, she would wake up to the open window, and savor the sweet smell of freshly plowed earth and the sound of cheerful birds chirping a reminder of God’s grace and a time of renewal. The gentle breeze that would blow across her bed was a reminder of the new beginnings that God had provided. She was truly blessed to have been raised in such a wonderful place.
Throughout her life, Amy Boardman always felt driven to be creative and find a way to express herself. Although she heard stories of how many artists often suffer and go hungry, she took a detour and chose a different path when it came time for college. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior & Graphic Design with a minor in Management. Amy used her creative skills to make a real impact, creating many graphic pieces for her college campus. One of her most memorable achievements was her hand-crafted ornament, Twelve Days of Christmas, which was displayed on the White House Christmas tree!
Amy’s post-college life was full of joy and promise. She married and moved to the west coast with her college sweetheart, started a family, and devoted her time to caring for her children and deepening her relationship with God. She also expressed her creativity by painting murals, creating and painting backdrops for VBS at her church, and creating artwork for clients. She attended workshops across the USA to expand her knowledge of art.
Having the opportunity to reside in numerous states with a variety of breathtaking views, has fueled her enthusiasm for the great outdoors. She loves to hike, canoe, and bike, additionally, she's seized every opportunity to document her experiences with her camera and turn them into beautiful artwork. Amy's faith in God has been her strongest source of motivation and courage to become a more self-assured artist and devoted Christian. Her unwavering trust in God has been the most significant element in her artistic pursuits, providing her with the courage and strength to persevere through the difficulties and rejoice in the successes of college, motherhood, and marriage.
Amy’s artistic exploration began when her middle child was about to graduate from high school. God reminded her of the artistic ‘mighty oak’ potential that had been planted in her long ago. He called her out of her dormant state, and she responded by creating a small art studio in her unfinished basement, which she affectionately dubbed 'The Dungeon'. Although the lighting was not ideal, and it was a far cry from her dream of a well-lit studio, Amy chose to honor God and kept creating.
God had a plan for her with more than she could imagine; relocating her to a new home with a beautiful in-home studio full of natural lighting. She now spends her days painting and designing her website, chuckling to herself as she remembers how God trusted her with little, and then with more. (Luke 16:10) It is clear that her passion for art was planted by her father and nurtured by God's guidance. Amy’s story is a true testament to the power of faith and the beauty of art!
Amy Boardman's journey has been a long and winding road that has finally led her to Huntsville, Alabama--a city aptly known as the Rocket City 🚀 (due to its rich history and strong ties to the space industry). She has found a home in Huntsville, enjoying its stunning views, parks, local attractions, and of course, the friendly people. 👨👩👧 In her element and with a newfound sense of belonging, she reignited her passion for art by becoming a full-time artist. 🎨 She creates beautiful pieces of art for her family, friends, and the public, and even created a website to showcase her work to the world. Amy's story is a testament to her faith, her courage, and unwavering determination in achieving her dreams.
Amy Boardman’s journey is full of exciting discovery and exploration! She works with a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and digital. Recently, she decided to explore palette knife painting and was delighted to discover the same level of joy and fulfillment it provided. Amy loves to paint landscapes and has recently started painting commissioned pet portraits, animals, and desserts. She draws her inspiration from the places she has visited and lived, in and hopes to use her art to spread encouragement, love, and hope to the world. By reflecting the beauty of nature and God in her paintings, Amy hopes to bring joy to her viewers.
Amy Boardman’s journey is all-inspiring, one that encourages us to pursue our dreams and never give up! Even though she was feeling discouraged by the idea of being a “starving artist,” and felt that it was impossible for her to make it as an artist, but, through her faith and God's gentle reminder, she was reminded that He had a plan for her (Jeremiah 29:11) and He had created a “good work” in her (Philippians 1:6). She was encouraged to not give up and to pursue her talents, gifts and calling. Through hard work and dedication, Amy Boardman was able to become a full-time artist 🎨 and entrepreneur, proving that dreams can come true. She hopes to inspire college students, mothers, and wives who want to pursue their dreams and show them that anything is possible with God. (Matthew 19:26)
XO,
With God all things are possible! -Matthew 19:26
Blog: Amy’s Palette Perspective
Amy Boardman Art
Creating art that brings hope, joy, and smiles, one painting at a time!
—Amy Boardman
