Daily Inspiration: Meet Mandy Berry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mandy Berry

Hi Mandy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As a kid, I was drawing constantly and by constantly I mean during breakfast, class, PE, church, lunch, and dinner! I have lived and breathed art for as long as I can remember. I had an amazing art teacher, Christine Pilkington, who exposed me to many living masters and educated me classically from a young age. Growing up, I pursued art as a passion and did not consider it as a potential career path until after my first year into college when art became a significant income for me. After graduating with a degree in business and art, I got a job as a nanny for a lovely family that supported me while I built the painting business I have today where I offer live event painting and fine art portraiture. There are so many people and experiences that shaped me along the way that inevitably lead me here. I am very grateful for everything and everyone that has influenced me and thrilled to be doing what I love for a living.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, but I hold the belief that every struggle is meant to teach, strengthen, or refine us in some way. I think my biggest struggle was not having access to resources and overcoming a lack mindset I learned from growing up with very little. But I also feel like without that experience I wouldn’t be as resourceful and capable as I am today. I remember one of the first portraits I was paid to paint as a teenager I painted with Qtips and a few tubes of paint my mom gave me for Christmas. No one in my family or environment was artistic so it seemed impossible for me to imagine a world in which one could make art for a living. It wasn’t until my art teacher, who allowed me to come to lessons on scholarship, inspired me to think bigger, hone my craft, and pursue being an artist. Honestly, without her kindness and generosity I might have abandoned art a while ago.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear so many hats, but ultimately I am the Artist and owner of a fine art entertainment and custom painting business based in Nashville that employs a few other amazing creatives to help with big events and projects. Whether it is a live oil painting of an event or wedding, individual portraits of guests, or a lifelike portrait, I specialize in entertainment that dazzles! I think what sets me apart is my skill and versatility. I can paint almost anything in any technique, presentation, and style and always love the challenge of trying something different and pushing the limits of my performance!

I would say painting my first couple celebrity weddings was surreal. My work has been published in Nashville Bride Guide and Nfocus Magazine. I painted a series of portraits for N.O.B.E.L Women that were displayed at the Governor’s Observatory. I recently painted several events at the FRIST Museum in Nashville which is a full circle moment because I used to take my art students there all the time in college when I was teaching!

Currently, I am dreaming up a future where my business grows enough to accommodate a wider variety of events globally and excited to be working on my first large body of work that expresses more of my spirit.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid taught me how to enjoy the little things in life and cherish my loved ones! Nothing is ever certain in life. I learned it’s good to plan, but not to get too attached to the those plans.

Pricing:

• Because my services are customized to each client and event they fluctuate, but customers can expect prices to start at $2000.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mandyberryfineart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livepaintermandy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livepaintermandy/

Image Credits
Karlyn Stanley Photography, Macy Laurel Photography, Haley Quadros Photography.