Artistry & Resilience: The Journey of SF Muralist Amandalynn

I think by now you know that my love for public art spans across all genres. Whether it’s strolling along Oakland’s Troll Trail filled with random “trolls” made made from scrap materials, SF’s mosaic stairs or massive collaborative street art murals. Through my years of exploring The Bay Area’s public art, I’ve been following the work of different artists who have their own distinctive unmistakable style. Among these talented artists, is muralist Amandalynn from San Francisco.

Amanda smiling as she works – this sits next to one of her fine art pieces “Land of Wonder”

Back in March, I learned from artist Ursula X. Young that Amanda had fallen while working on a mural. She broke several bones and was unable to work until now. This week marks the first time she’s able to be fully in flow while painting murals for a group show she’s curating at Luna Rienne Gallery called “Arcana”. The fall showed all of us that she’s not just talented, she’s powerful and resilient. It taught her some valuable lessons on how to prioritize, slow down and be more cautious. Today, Amandalynn is ready to move on from the tragedy and get back to the thing she loves most: art! In my interview with her we lightly touch on the accident but mostly talk about her work and upcoming shows.

Amanda Lynn sitting on her mural “Paradise” in Grand Cayman – photo courtesy of Amanda Lynn

For those who don’t know your origin story, tell me how this all got started both as an artist and also as a muralist.

I first learned about Amandalynn when she did a piece with another favorite artist of mine, Ursula X. Young. Then, years later I had my first interaction with Amandalynn was when I was lucky enough to be in a group show in 2021 with her called “How to Know You’re a Fairy” – an exhibit which celebrated the debut of a book of the same name by Jill Mary. In Amandalynn’s work,  her distinctive style shines so brightly that it was no surprise that she has been creating since she was a child.

“I grew up in Western Pennsylvania and was encouraged by my family to create. I was mentored by a very prolific artist, Robin Grass, from whom I learned the style of painting that I still use today in my fine art and murals. I painted my very first mural in my parents’ house when I was 16 to pay off a speeding ticket I got while driving with my mom in the car! It turned out her punishment for me became my life long career.

“After visiting San Francisco one time when I was 18 and I saw the city of murals and art and magic, I knew it was where I was supposed to be. I moved here about 6 months later and met a bunch of crazy and talented graffiti writers. They taught me the concept of painting on walls simply for the love of painting and not necessarily for money. Over 20 years later, I am very happy to say that most of us are making money painting on walls, but it truly is still all done for the love of painting. We also started hosting big pop up style events about 20 years ago, giving an opportunity to sort of a counterculture group of artists a chance to show art and for the public to be a part of it. I have been hosting and curating events ever since, and am more than happy to now be working with several amazing galleries, such as Luna Rienne Gallery in San Francisco.”

“Paradise Lullaby” by Amandalynn in San Francisco – photo courtesy of Amandalynn

How did you meet Lady Mags? What’s your favorite project (outside of this one) that you did together?

What you’ll notice in Amandalynn’s work is that her artistic style is soft, bright, vibrant and feminine in its subject matter – but even feminine within her line weight and fluid paint strokes. Her work has always captivated me as her work has an emphasis on women and the natural world around them. As an art kid who was raised in equal parts forest and city, I love how she blends elements in nature into nearly all of her mural work. In contrast, Lady Mags uses bold colors and lettering to captivate the viewer. Seeing them work together over and over again is really inspiring because you can see how these two artists work to lift each other up and how their vastly different styles can complement each other in so many ways.

Amandalynn, Lady Mags at 69 Duboce Ave – Photo by SF Mural Arts

“Lady Mags and I met about 12 years ago. We shared a car ride back from Los Angeles together and after talking for over 6 hours about art and life we decided we should paint a wall. I had never collaborated with a woman in that way, and it was one of the best experiences of my life. We have since become very close friends and also began creating fine art work together.

My most favorite project with Lady Mags was our largest wall to date titled Live Outside. We painted it in downtown San Francisco in 2014 on the side of Holiday Inn off 8th and Market. It no longer exists so can only be seen in photos, but that memory will last forever in my heart!! My second favorite piece still shines bright and is in downtown Petaluma and celebrates the Magnificent beauty we both have found living in the North Bay. We created that piece about a year and a half ago, and it makes me smile every time I drive by.”

Mural collab between Lady Mags and Amanda Lynn in SF – Amanda’s favorite “Live Outside”

For someone wanting to get into mural art – how would they get their start?

“The simple answer is, Start! I know that sounds daunting, but the best way to create a mural is to simply do that and keep doing that over and over and over again. The best way to learn is to make all the mistakes and figure out how to fix them. I also love to help others create. I have taught some classes in schools recently but also am always open to give advice. Anyone can feel free to reach out to me through my website, Instagram, etc.”

I love how Amanda gives the advice to just get started. Sometimes I say to others that it’s sorta like watching everyone get on an escalator and you’re just standing at the bottom. Sometimes you need to take that next step and it might be scary but it’s the only way up. “See yourself as an artist when you go to work every day,”the first quote in this wonderful video showing Amandalynn working in Australia.

I know you recently had a fall while working – I’m sure that was a terrible experience. Can you tell us how your recent fall has impacted how you work today? 

When we talked about Amanda’s accident, it was clear she’s really ready to have that chapter in the past. Her friends and community helped her the most through the aftermath of the accident and she’s ready to get back to painting. You can watch her paint live on her Instagram with crutches nearby and being gentle with her body by making sure she takes time to sit down while creating.

Amandalynn’s beautiful piece “Arrangement” – photo courtesy of Amandalynn

“I fell on March 9th and I was broken but I got bolted back together and lifted up by my amazing community of family, friends, artists, collectors, and even people I have never met in person. It was my first fall in my 25+ year career and it has taught me a whole lot of lessons, many of which I am still learning. I started my first mural back yesterday inside of Luna Rienne Gallery in San Francisco, creating a piece for our upcoming group exhibition titled ‘Arcana’, which opens this Saturday, June 17th, 2023.

“It has been such an interesting journey relearning my body and really taking the time to listen to it. I am someone that very rarely slows down and prefers to be the one helping and supporting others. I had to learn the art of accepting help and the patience of slowing down. Creating fine art for this upcoming exhibition has been a wonderful way to focus my artistic drive. Re-entering into the art of murals, I am going to definitely approach things in a different way. I have had a lot of time to evaluate my decisions and style of working. In the future, I still plan on painting large and small productions, I am just going to probably space them out a bit more and really try to only take on projects that really feel right instead of saying yes to everything. The art of being a freelance artist makes it hard to say no when opportunity comes your way, but I have learned the hard way that our bodies will tell us when we are doing too much!”

Amandalynn didn’t have a GoFundMe but her income was for sure impacted by her recent fall. If you feel called to donate and help her as she gets literally and figuratively back on her feet, you can send donations to her via Venmo at Amanda-Lynn-95 -or- PayPal Alynnpaint@gmail.com

An Amandalynn original mural at City Center in San Francisco – photo courtesy of Amandalynn

What other projects do you have in the works?

“I have lots of group exhibitions that I am participating in coming up, first off being, ‘Arcana’ at Luna Rienne gallery opening this Saturday, June 17th, 2023. The next big one is called ‘Guilty Pleasures’ curated by Emily Fromm and will be hosted by 111 Minna Gallery in February 2024. I also have several fun mural projects coming up. Lady Mags and I will be painting in downtown SF in early July, I will also be collaborating with Apex and Ian the Painter on a giant water tower in Sacramento in October, curated by Wide Open Walls. I am very much looking forward to getting back outside and creating for the public. It is where I feel most at home!”

New work by Amanda Lynn which will be part of “Arcana” at Luna Rienne Gallery in San Francisco.

Where can you see Amandalynn’s work?

Her work is all over the place – part of the beauty of public art. Maybe to be expected, you can peep where some of her work is via her website. However, there is new work coming from her which is 1,000% worth visiting. 

Luna Rienne Gallery’s newest exhibit “Arcana” features Amandalynn along with other artists: Lady Mags, Gloria Muriel, Erin Yoshi, Megan Shaffer, and Nine Swords Design. This past week, Amandalynn has been focused on painting murals within the Luna Rienne Gallery as part of “Arcana”. The mural work within the gallery was a multi-day effort which encompassed more than a week of creative energy.
“Arcana features paintings, prints, and floral design by artists Amandalynn, Lady Mags, Gloria Muriel, Erin Yoshi, Megan Shaffer, and Nine Swords Design. Arcana, by definition, refers to a deep secret, a mystery, or an elixir. With this exhibition, Amandalynn invites some of her favorite artists to discover and celebrate the hidden magic brought to light by working together. The show also features two mural / painting installations — by Amandalynn and Lady Mags — which evoke a sense of discovery and found treasure.” – the exhibit synopsis on the gallery website.

“Arcana” will be on exhibit from June 17 through July 16, 2023 at Luna Rienne Gallery, 3318 22nd Street near Valencia in San Francisco. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 17, from 6PM until 9PM.

Where can you find Amandalynn online?

Facebook: @/amandalynnpaintings/
IG: @Alynnpaint
Website:  alynnpaint.com/
You can also find an extensive collection of Amanda’s work via the SF Mural Arts website.

I leave you with the author of “How to Know You’re a Fairy” reading the book that Amandalynn illustrated.

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