How My Art Went Viral and I Became a Full-Time Artist | Amanda Oleander | TEDxSDSU

Amanda Oleander is fascinated by the way people live and behave behind closed doors. Her art depicts just that. Thousands of people resonate with her art, as evidenced by her large following on Periscope and Instagram. During her talk, Amanda shares about her journey into becoming a full time artist, how social media has played a role, and advice for aspiring artists like herself.
Amanda Oleander is a Los Angeles based artist. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In addition to illustrating for E! Entertainment, Oleander created a series of paintings portraying endangered animals for the World Wildlife Fund.
Oleander also pioneered live-stream painting on the app, Periscope, with over 13 million people viewing her work on a weekly basis. Most recently, Oleander has gained significant popularity on Instagram, for which she’s illustrated a new drawing every day since August 10, 2017. Oleander loves depicting the human experience in her art, specifically the intimate moments of people’s lives that we never get to see.
She has been published internationally and featured in The New York Mag, Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire Italy, Business Insider, and The Hollywood Reporter to name a few. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@ArtsyMegz_On_Etsy]

Yep. Starving artist over here 👋🖐.

[@itzhakkabanga6306]

“There’s no set path, but I went viral, thank you guys”

[@vickrdable]

Itzhak Kabanga exactly what i was thinking lol

[@nosebleedpuddle]

I find this talk somewhat disconcerting in the sense that "post ever day" is a good thing. Not everybody has a cartoon illustration style (that's not taking pot shots) By this I mean time frames don't automatically work. Work as hard as you can yes, but take care of yourselves and don't burn out, get stressed because of "followers" or "likes" - This mind set can be toxic.

[@nosebleedpuddle]

@Afterlife is The Future exactly, I mean not gonna lie I think she got lucky. I know so so many talented people that just don't have the reach or they're not getting picked up, making amazing work. To tell them to post every day is just like a kick in the damn teeth as far as I'm concerned. If anything this period of time has taught us to slow down and I've been working on a piece almost every day for 2 weeks. There was a time I was trying to make 2 drawings a week and pushed myself like that. It' seriously not healthy.

[@mickey19938]

Agreed. I think that a better approach is to have a strategy for posting content regularly. It doesn’t have to be finished art - you could post stuff that’s in progress, helpful tips and tricks your audience might be interested in, share content you like, make polls, etc. That keeps your content varied and you don’t have to be pressured into constantly posting new art.

[@fountainofknowledge7500]

I fully agree with what you say but surely if you're a person who has decided that yes, I am an artist, well this means that you make a picture every day? Maybe you will only post a refined piece as often (but not daily) as you can, but surely you can post sketches, quick studies, posts about your process, sketchbook work, the process of a complex piece, inspiration, favourite artists ...of course making sure that your website is mainly a collection of your best work, the work you want to be hired for, but then your stream, youtube or Instagram etc. is updated daily with all of the in-between stuff as well as the final piece. Don't burn out or expect everything to be perfect but I do think you need to be consistent and practise your craft daily, and if you're practising why not "share your work" and get your name out!

[@whosaidthat4299]

@Greek Goddess maybe you could do a partial closeup as the work progresses until it's done, mash it up with other images, but what do I know. 😁

[@carliescafe]

You could still post studio shots or progress shots etc and talk about it

[@michaelluciano7774]

I'm an abstract artist myself and have a powerful passion for art. At the moment I'm working at a fast food joint to make ends meet but I always find time for my art. This video is such positive motivation for me and exactly what I needed to hear

[@ParyatakParag]

I'm an artist, I create digital photo art but I'm inactive from last year! Due to depression, I stopped creating stuff.. I was also featured by Adobe CC on its instagram story! I'm struggling to get back on the track and be what I want to be! Also, I love your work Amanda Oleander.. :)

[@michaelluciano7774]

I'm a abstract artist myself and I can relate to having depression. My advice for you is to never give up the dream and to reflect your pain into your works. Brokenness makes for great works my friend. Please pull yourself together and keep your eyes twords the horizon

[@joanafonseca2816]

Maybe this is a moment when you need you art the most. Heal through it! Hang there strong ** currently going through the valey as well *

[@RegratorNovem]

Feel ya.

[@achuu4091]

Yep :( once depression kicks in the creativity that I once had just goes, so it’s hard to even get out of bed and go to my sketchbook to draw

[@andrewmc147]

My rule is paint everyday. No matter how you feel.

[@biancadean7639]

I’m not even done with the video but I said, “let me get my sorry self up” and got my sorry self up.

[@xiaobaolin8076]

Me and my brother love art!!!Art is the best

[@shaysuketchi5630]

I struggle with engagement and finding my audience. I'm trying everyday but every so often I just disappear in disappointment and try to recollect my mind. I'm invisible online and in real life but I'm struggling to change it.

[@raebraebla]

Shay Suketchi keep practising! You can do this ❤️.

[@KeyDyer]

Time and commitment. Don’t give up, but feel free to take breaks.

[@Artistmaninderdandiwal]

Enjoy the process of your drawings, enjoy your paintings, don’t rush too much , take your time, and make sure, we’re not creating for likes and followers, we’re creating for our own happiness, for own growth, most people I see end up stressing out like why I’m not getting enough likes , comments, always keep in your mind, your likes and comments doesn’t define the value of your work, it is based on how much love you’re putting into your work 🌸🙏

[@user-rm6hh7qp9l]

心で描けるなんて❤️🎉何と素敵な先生なのでしょう‼️感謝致します😊

[@soundwave6218]

Before I go to sleep I just wanted to say All artist around the world today or this weekend you should get out and check out as many big companies in your area and design a tshirt for them you never know who's looking for something new..Good Luck and God Bless you All💚and Thank God for Blessing this young lady❤️

[@jordanmclennan4819]

This women is just lucky enough to have the privilege, I do not agree she is a artist but a women who does a few pieces of art. There is a difference

[@jovanalipovac5968]

Jealousy is a dangerous desease

[@gabsl1552]

thanks for sharing! i am an artist and i find struggling to find who am i and what is my strongest ability. sometimes i had to step back to reflect myself and what am i seeing myself. being an artist is not simple as you think. im not really starving artist btw. strive hard to do better and improve your life involved with my work.

[@universeoflala]

Thank you for sharing. I really needed this today :')

[@user-vl5km3zc8i]

Amanda, I follow you on Instagram for a year and I have been waiting for this speach! it's very inspiring! thank you!

[@ocneal]

Awesome, Amanda! Very motivational/Inspirational. You are very intelligent. You're a calculated risk taker and it is paying off. You are an excellent example of a human being; I've seen you help others including myself. Surely a lot of people look up to you. You're a visionary and a very hard worker. I love your 5 Key Principles you mention: Investment, Resilience, Online Presence, Consistency and Authenticity. The heavens are but another limit for your extraordinary artwork and thank you for it.

[@galarog5598]

Omg she has the cutest laugh ever

[@creativeodyssey8040]

Very inspiring talk. Thank you from artists everywhere.

[@bryancoombesart]

Great story, not exactly a model other artists can use as a template to follow IMO, but everyones path is going to be different.

[@artwavechannel7721]

I can draw but not a professional artist. She will serve as an inspiration to me.

[@syedaiqrahussain]

Thank you for sharing it motivates me more then 100 times 💯

[@M7ri3ll3]

I love her so much she loves interacting with her fans too! ☺️💞

[@maunamars968]

You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say this... I am so happy about this story, I'm so glad this makes me so happy. Gosh, I'm so happy, this video just put me in the best mood...

[@beberoro1]

Idk why im crying i love uuu

[@cliffdariff74]

why would you cry for someone's success? especially since she didn't really have a traumatic experience, she worked hard, had some luck, used her talents and went viral I guess... but why in earth would you find that so, I don't know sentimental or "heroic" that you cry.

[@Mf-ji4qo]

I love you Amanda ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TheBrainNuggets]

This is as helpful as Paris Hilton talking about how she got rich

[@Sam-xn8wz]

Gives me motivation! Keep being you :)

[@italogiardina8183]

Full time, part time, some time artist, produces the artifact as a temporal marker of historical material self in culture.

[@plutoplatters]

There's always 1 superstar in a lot of areas. Again if millions of people are focused on YOU you're instantly a superstar ...look at Honey boo boo !

[@itsjamillecan]

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@tropicalralph5441]

I’m happy for you

[@doodski2873]

really great talk. inspiring.

[@kathleenbankston5154]

Good Job!!!!

[@Positive_Pepper]

So most of the success is through social media? FML - it reminds me how hard it is for people who hate social media to be a "successful" artist or businessperson. Guess I better assimilate to be successful and have good opportunities. I understand that genius is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration but goddamn. I suppose how else are we to make good connections these days?

[@reginasanya1996]

Beautiful :)

[@plutoplatters]

If millions of people all focus on "something" it is then "Viral".

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

Is that called art? Amaaazing.

[@bkartgallery7]

Nice

[@leuvaart4982]

good!

[@DKAGAMINGART]

Awesome...^^

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Interesting film. Thank you. I love to hear about artists that have made it. My daughter is a better artist than me. She draws every day. Good luck Amanda glad you made it! :)

[@gregdahlen4375]

excellent except I felt that part about get out of your comfort zone at the end was kinda thrown on there, I didn't think she'd talked about that much in the talk

[@wenwilloughby8197]

The whole first two and a half minutes were about that, weren't they? Symbolised by going from nice neat blue lines to 'mixing it up' with red zig-zags; and her story about deciding not to stay at her parents' and do a 'safe' art job, but do the scary thing and move to the big city to try to find a challenging job.

[@bradley5788]

So I don’t have to go to school for this?

[@I_know_it_I_sew_it_I_grow_it]

School is designed to crush creativity.

[@plutoplatters]

went viral,gone viral,viral < (time for this to go)

[@josesanchez0450]

She’s kind of awkward and I love it

[@vietanh3323]

good

[@Airic]

i wanna buy that painting she did on stage...how much?

[@scottredford4801]

This is called Survivor bias, she assumes that because she worked hard and used quality supplies that it made her somehow a cut above the rest. This advice is standard, common sense almost. She is a good artist like the millions of other ones but unlike them she went Viral, it doesn't make her more worthy or an authority figure on art just because she lucked out.

[@deyanaclark7132]

I understand one thing....live stream on parascope

[@mariofuentes4130]

Ojitos impresionante

[@cliffdariff74]

honestly, I'm not being critical of her success, but as a path to success as an artist. I don't think, or even recommend "going viral" as a path. she may got lucky, has talents, met good people but for God's sake, MAKE ART. that's your best path. dreaming of, or being an online star does not make you an artist.. successful yes... an artist, well, not exactly.... she makes excellent illustrations, and looks she gets paid very well for it in that category.

[@ChillAndSketch]

If you just make art, no one's gonna find out about it 🤷

[@secretartist7491]

I'm an artist , I've been drawing since 4 years but I couldn't continue deu to dipression ,and I've lost hope to be an artist now ,I got no opportunity also🙃 can anyone suggest me

[@hugoperezart]

Do you have to be attractive, young, and photogenic to make it in the art world?

[@Auriflamme]

That helps on social media certainly, but people still need ability and hard work to get anywhere. I think that shallow people obsessed with youth and looks probably don't contribute too much to the typical artist's bank account. Sure they give Instagram likes, but are less likely to buy works because they wont form an emotional connection to the artist.

[@amphetamean66X]

I'll just say it doesn't hurt. You know what helps even more though, already having wealthy connections.

[@jcu1464]

This was really not helpful at all. The whole thing felt like humble brag.

[@thehypest6118]

Every single Ted talk is a humble grab ahaha

[@matthewwilcoxsuperorganism6294]

Why isn’t her speech well prepared?

[@stephenbinos5871]

We artist don't do too good with speech, cos we are always working on our craft not talking, at least most genius are introvert

[@guptasonal4022]

Do you accept ad placement.

[@robbedontuesday]

Never been to a country called "South America"...

[@setphaser]

This is one of those TEDxs that the author will look back on in a few years and realise most of it isn’t true. As anyone in the pandemic knows life gets in the way…

[@sorryrocco]

How long does it take to be able to draw like a 10 yr old,

[@audreyducharme6540]

Nice for her, but her artwork is far from impressive... :/

[@dreamluvr1600]

fr

[@johnvonmartin7501]

Watch kimjun gi and your definition of art will change drastically .

[@deyanaclark7132]

But yea after 8 mins it’s kind of losing heat

[@ushergold5149]

More luck than success.

[@lorenn2000]

Usher Gold how much work have you put in? stop undermining success because of jealousy

[@chloe-dr4rk]

Usher Gold nah not rlly. she got a really amazing opportunity. if she’d been some mediocre artist that barely tried do you think she would have kept her place or stayed there? no. it’s 80-90% talent, and 20-10% being resourceful and resilient and making the most of every situation. not luck, just seizing opportunities

[@ArtSickChic]

Crappiest tedtalks ever.

[@adrisgallery9422]

Adri_is_an_artist 💕👩‍🎨 (Insta)

[@michelleherzelart1911]

Im also an artist 😍 on Instagram art_ist_2018. Check it out

[@MollyMocha]

Michelle Herzel I found your account! Check mine too if you want to encourage an other new artist @ykasart! Thank you! 🙂

[@Shadowbox18]

Someone in the audience needs some cough medicine

[@babyirene3188]

Why are Ted talks so consistently horrible? Working for E entertainment Good idea

[@shadowartist8892]

High ick factor in her work. Icky.

[@robertcombs9469]

boo!

[@MeeruArtBox]

plz help each other watch each other vedios of art lets start

[@janicecathey562]

The bashful software implicitly remain because swiss naturalistically clean below a damp teacher. certain, sick badge

[@aimeethomson7806]

TOOK HER ART DOWN

[@thehypest6118]

10:40... What? What drivel was that

[@guptasonal4022]

Do you accept ad placement.

[@guptasonal4022]

Do you accept ad placement.