Amanda Lynn is a renowned muralist whose paintings grace the walls and corners of many a street. She sat down with us this past week for a short interview to discuss her work.
Thank you for agreeing to speak with us today, Amanda. Where are you based out of right now, and what have you been up to?
I live an hour and thirty minutes North of SF, but travel down multiple times a week to the City. The mural scene has really exploded in the past two years with the pandemic, so I’ve had a lot to do.
Tell me a little about your background, interest, and specialization in art.
I started painting street art in SF in 2001; the first wall on Folsom was a green alien girl. I grew up in a small town on the East Coast and ended up coming out to California to attend the Academy of Art. At first, I thought I’d do tattoos to pay for my murals but life took another turn and I went all-in on murals.
What is a strong memory from your childhood that influenced who you became?
I was very fortunate; my family encouraged my interest in art. Also, my lifelong mentor Robert Grass taught me his style of painting, and I apply the same fine arts style on the wall when I paint murals. I’ve taken what I learned with me up until now, and continue to build upon it.
How has the recent cultural and political climate influenced your work?
I’ve always advocated public art since it’s art for everyone. Politically, my goal is to bring joy to someone’s day or life. That’s the way I approach those issues.
What recent works are you most proud of, and what’s on the horizon for you?
In the past couple of years, I’ve become a full-time muralist. I’ve really embraced it; in fact, I’ve painted more commercially in SF than ever before. Finished one on 20th and Mission on the AT&T building. Geary and Masonic, several installations around that whole building. I plan on painting murals for the rest of my life. In the past year, I’ve also gotten into teaching mural art, and it has been rewarding being able to pass these things on to the next generation.
An exhibition featuring her work is being held at the 111 Minna Art Gallery on Thursday, October 13th. She would like to thank the City of San Francisco for supporting her work.
You can see more of Amanda Lynn’s work and stay up to date by visiting her website, or checking out her Instagram.
