How Amber Andrews Wears Many Hats as A CEO of a Start Up
What’s your name and current title?
Amber (AJ) Andrews: Digital Artist, Lead Retoucher, Photographer, Creative Director, CEO, CMO, CFO… we are a startup so I do it all right now!
How would you describe yourself?
I’m a queer, hard of hearing dancer and artist with strong Libra energy. I am a big list-maker and love to check things off my to-do list. My true passion is in digital art making and I am constantly learning new, innovative ways to utilize this art form.
Describe your job in 100 words or less.
I do everything. I have dreams of having a team to help with this, but for now I have a hand in everything we do. Retouching, project planning, client communications, photography, scheduling, creative direction, accounting and invoicing, social media planning, web management, digital tech-ing, customer service, and more! My favorite part of the work is getting to collaborate with my creative partner, Brooke, making key art, posters, book covers and more. Or doing an on-location shoot with dancers with the assistance of my life partner, John.
What’s your favorite part of working remotely?
I get so much done when I can blast some music and sit by myself in my own little creative bubble. I also love the freedom it gives me to spend quality time with John before he goes off to his other job.
What does your ideal workday look like?
I start off with a great cup of coffee, enjoyed alongside John while we do the Wordle or any other low-key activities to start the day. Then I organize my emails, to do lists, Trello tasks and time-block my day to get started. Once I’m organized I take a short break to work out, stretch or practice a tap dance for an upcoming performance. Then I sit down and get to work! My favorite days are when I have NO meetings and can just spend hours doing marketing planning and then switch into my creative brain and make some cool composites without interruption. Ideally, I would end my day at a reasonable time but since I LOVE THE WORK I DO, I likely keep at it until 8pm. Then I step away from the computer to focus on self-care: take a bath, give myself a rainbow manicure, spend some time with friends, take a dance class, paint, try my hand at knitting again, etc. I’m working on having more of my day dedicated to this, but it’s hard to walk away when I’m in the middle of making cool sh**!
What work do you enjoy doing the most?
I love doing photo composites and key art. There’s something magical about taking something and turning it into something completely different that sparkles. I have a good eye for detail and properly representing shadow/highlight/color so it’s fun to play with those concepts within a photo composite.
What occupations besides art have you held?
I’m currently also a dance teacher and director. I don’t know how to just have one job. My whole life I’ve juggled multiple jobs, usually one in photography and one teaching dance or art classes.
What drives your art making?
Most of the time I’m driven by a loose concept and the challenge of visually bringing that to life. For example, when I’m given a word or concept that represents a dance show. And then I create dynamic visuals using the dancers bodies in an imagined scene to bring it to life. I really thrive when given a lot of creative freedom with some direction.
Which tools are essential to your work as an artist?
Wacom tablet, nothing fancy. I use the small Intuos Pro tablet but for me the key is ordering the felt tips for the pen. It feels like drawing with a marker in a way that I really respond to. I’m also a Mac user, and that’s non-negotiable. I refuse to work on a PC, not that they don’t have their purpose but I have so many workflows that I’ve set up on Mac and rely on to keep me on track. Also a good cup of coffee or a glass of sparkling water always makes me willing to focus in on a task at hand.
What is your favorite piece of art?
Anything by Virginia Kraljevic, her illustrative style has an amazing amount of play in addition to repetitive patterning. I find it very soothing to look at. I used to teach lessons based on her work when I was an art teacher.
Cite an instance from your own life that served as inspiration.
I was fortunate enough to assist Parish Kohanim while he taught at the California Photo Festival. He did a session where he taught attendees how to shoot dancers and it was inspiring to watch him work. It really inspired me to start doing photography work with artists.
What particular event in your life has been fundamental in shaping you?
I was diagnosed with oral cancer just before the pandemic. It gave me a real push to create my own path and focus on the work I want to do. I’m now in remission!
Which of your earliest memories is the fondest?
Working in the garage with my dad as a kid, in particular when we’d do woodworking and I’d learn how to use a drill press or chop. My favorite project we did was making a small catapult out of all wood, including wheels and a rope/pin with a quick release lever. I wish I had photos of this one.
What song motivates you?
“Pretty Ugly” by Tierra Whack! It’s not only a great groove that makes you want to bounce along to it, but it also is great at reminding me that I’m amazing even when I’m feeling frustrated or depressed.
What’s something interesting that our customers might not know about you?
That I’m a professional tap dancer with Rocky Mountain Rhythm!
What hobbies do you enjoy in your free time?
I love to make things with my hands but my patience with non-digital mediums runs out quickly so I tend to experiment in many crafts but not master any of them.
Name a favorite thing in your home and explain why.
A beautiful custom piece of art I commissioned from Brooke for John. It’s black line work depicting the characters from the movie Royal Tenenbaums and it’s stunning. Even the guy I hired to frame it was awe-struck and insisted I use the most protective materials for the frame.
Without what could you not function?
Coffee! I love coffee and would drink it throughout the day if my body wouldn’t go into hyper-drive.
What is your favorite or most motivational location in Denver?
Stanley Marketplace is one of my favorite places, not only because of the history but because of all of the local events that happen there. Plus when I’m overwhelmed by people, there’s a great walking trail right outside of it.
Which advice did you receive that you felt was the best?
I read this somewhere and saved it since I am the worst at keeping to a schedule. “Love yourself enough to set boundaries. Your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. You teach people how to treat you by deciding what you will and won’t accept.” ― Anna Taylor
How Do You Get Inspired?
Reading is a great way to get inspired. Short stories, poems, anything that is expertly described really gets my gears turning to create something new.
